[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING ISRAEL IN HONOR OF HER 62ND BIRTHDAY

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize our great ally, 
Israel, on the 62nd anniversary of their nation.
  As the standard bearer for democracy in the Middle East, Israel is of 
critical importance to the United States. Since the declaration of the 
State of Israel in 1948, they have consistently shown the power of 
democracy in a very volatile part of the world.
  Their achievements cannot be understated. The per capita annual GDP 
in Israel is nearly $30,000 and the average life span is over 80 years. 
Israel consistently keeps its citizens safe, despite the security 
threats that occur on a daily basis. The fact that Israel continues to 
grow in population at an annual increase of 1.8 percent is a strong 
signal of the nation's strength.
  So today let us recognize Israel and their many achievements and let 
us always remember the unending bond between the United States and 
Israel that must continue to be protected.

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