[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZE ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL FOR THE IRON DOME ANTI-MISSILE SUPPORT

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to emphasize my strong 
support for H.R. 5327, of which I am an original cosponsor. This vital 
legislation authorizes the support of the United States for Israel's 
Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range missiles and 
rockets fired by Hezbollah from Israel's north and Hamas from the 
south. Since the year 2000, Madam Speaker, these violent militant 
groups, sponsored by Iran and Syria, have fired thousands of missiles, 
rockets, and mortars against Israeli civilian targets. Hezbollah now 
has an arsenal that may include Scuds and other long-range weapons. 
Rockets also continue to be fired from Gaza, including over 200 since 
January of 2009, putting southern Israel under a state of siege.
  Madam Speaker, Israel is developing a multilayered missile defense 
system, including the Iron Dome, to stop this threat. The U.S. must 
support our indispensable ally, Israel, in this and other efforts to 
secure her citizens.

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