[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5871-H5872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ISRAEL REMAINS A KEY U.S. ALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington this 
week, it's important that we refocus on the unique relationship the 
U.S. shares with the Nation of Israel. This year is the 61st 
anniversary of the State of Israel. But 61 years of existence does not 
mean that Israel no longer faces profound threats to its very survival. 
Chief among those is the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran and Iran's 
continuing aggressive stance towards Israel in the region.

                              {time}  1900

  Making matters even more urgent, Iran announced today that it has 
successfully test-fired a missile that is capable of striking Israel in 
addition to U.S. military installations in the Middle East and parts of 
Southeastern Europe. With his typical rhetorical hammer and anvil, 
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that with today's missile 
launch, Iran is sending a strong message on the nuclear front: ``Today 
the Republic of Iran is running the show.''
  While I doubt that this is the case, it is increasingly clear that 
Iran relishes its role as Middle East troublemaker and is nowhere near 
giving up its troubling belligerent stance toward our Israeli allies. 
Yet despite the threats and instability that proliferate in the Middle 
East, Israel has proven to be a steadfast ally to the U.S. and a model 
of a free and open democratic state in this troubled region. Since the 
time of its creation more than 60 years ago, Israel has served as an 
example of democracy and equal rights for her neighbors. Israel has 
also proved to be a steadfast ally to the United States in a variety of 
ways, particularly within our country's diplomatic efforts in the 
Middle East.
  Since its founding in 1948, the State of Israel has served as a 
democratic anchor in the Middle East. Like the United States, the 
Israeli Declaration of Independence protects freedom of speech, freedom 
of religion, a free press, free elections and many other tenets of a 
free society. Israel established a democracy in the midst of a 
politically tumultuous region and by guaranteeing the basic rights of 
her citizens, sets herself apart from her authoritarian neighbors. 
Israel prides herself on women's rights and equal pay for women in the 
workforce. The first female Prime Minister, Golda Meir, was elected in 
1969, just 21 years after the formation of modern Israel. Women now 
serve as the Foreign Minister, Speaker of the Knesset and Chief Justice 
of the Israeli Supreme Court. Furthermore, Israel has recognized the 
necessity of providing equal rights regardless of gender or race and 
deserves to be commended.
  Not only is Israel an example for her neighbor as a thriving 
democracy where citizens' rights are protected through the rule of law, 
she has also been an avid supporter in the global war on terror. The 
U.S. and Israel are continually working together to develop 
sophisticated military technology and improve Israel's defense

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systems and soldier protection. In the interest of global freedom, I 
hope and am confident that this friendship will continue in the future.

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