[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 62nd anniversary of 
the founding of the Jewish State of Israel. Israel has weathered 
decades of war and terrorism, but it remains a thriving democracy and 
America's closest friend and ally in the Middle East.
  As a very young child, I remember the immense pride and joy my family 
felt when the Jewish state became a reality. I had the privilege of 
traveling once again to Israel earlier this month. And again I was 
struck by the resilience, the courage, and innovation of the Israeli 
people, as well as their pride in the beautifully lush country they had 
built in the desert.
  I thought about my childhood again and the number of times that I had 
saved my nickels and dimes to buy trees and tree certificates that we 
used for birthdays and anniversaries to plant trees in Israel and to 
turn that desert and make it bloom.
  No longer just a longing of the Jewish people, Israel today is a 
leader in technology, and energy, and scientific innovation, including 
medical innovations. It is also the only democratic state in the Middle 
East, and our steadfast friend and ally and partner. Today we mark the 
62nd anniversary of the State of Israel and celebrate the unbreakable 
bonds between our two countries, the unbreakable bonds between our two 
countries.
  Sixty-two years after the United States became the first country to 
recognize the new State of Israel, we still share common dreams and 
continue to strengthen our critical relationship. Just minutes after 
the declaration of the founding of the State of Israel, President Harry 
Truman recognized that country, and it began a 62-year long commitment, 
nonpartisan, bipartisan, universal throughout our country recognizing 
the importance of our relationship with the State of Israel.
  I believe that this Congress of the United States maintains that 
dedication and will forevermore.

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