[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House 
Concurrent Resolution 260 and acknowledge both the sacrifices and the 
celebrations of the Israeli people on their Independence Day, Yom 
Ha'atzmaut.
  Sixty-two years ago, the founders of the Jewish state gathered 
together in Tel Aviv to declare: ``Exiled from the land of Israel, the 
Jewish people remain faithful to it in all the countries of their 
dispersion, never ceasing to pray and hope for their return and the 
restoration of their national freedom.''
  In every turn of Jewish history, expulsion after expulsion, pogrom 
after pogrom, the vision and the dream of the return to Israel would 
keep the Jewish people going. It was this hope that fueled the 
establishment of the state of Israel, and through every battle and 
every war, the words of the Israeli Proclamation of Independence 
continued to hold true. The people of Israel's connection to the land 
keeps them faithful to the ideals of the state that was established 62 
years ago.

                              {time}  1700

  I feel this commitment every time I visit Israel and see the 
unshakeable dedication to improving the Jewish homeland. Since its 
founding 62 years ago, Israel has become a modern state, a beacon of 
democracy, and a hub of technological advancement. And the world has 
benefited from Israel's contributions.
  Israel is the world's largest per capita user of solar water heaters 
in their homes. Israel will be launching the world's first electric car 
network throughout the country, reducing their dependence on foreign 
oil, and serving as a model to the rest of the world. Israel's 
experience on the front lines of terrorism have allowed them to use 
their first responder skills when humanitarian crises occur around the 
world, not just in Israel. Just a few months ago, Israel dispatched a 
team to Haiti, setting up a field hospital, delivering medical care, 
and saving lives. They were the first ones on the ground.
  Finally, Israel has taken painful steps toward peace, making 
sacrifices, sometimes unilaterally, toward the goal of reaching an 
agreement with its Arab neighbors. Israelis live under constant threat 
from Hamas's barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza, from the dangerous 
and genocidal words of a dictator in Iran, from a buildup of weapons on 
its northern border, from a despicable campaign to delegitimize Israel 
on the international stage.
  While the threats against the United States and Israel grow and 
strengthen, so too must our joint resolve to confront them. I am proud 
to be a supporter of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. We are stronger 
together through our friendship. We are safer together through our 
cooperation. And in this uncertain world, the United States and Israel 
need each other.
  On this Israeli Independence Day, I acknowledge the brave men and 
women and their families who have sacrificed so much for the Jewish 
homeland, and I look forward to the day when Israel can celebrate 
independence in peace and security.

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