[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 63RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATE OF 
                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 63rd 
anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, declared on May 
14, 1948. Israel has provided Jews from all over the world with the 
opportunity to reestablish and participate in a Jewish state and 
society in their ancient homeland, the Land of Israel, with the city of 
Jerusalem as its undivided capital. Not only is Israel home to many 
religious sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but Israel 
has provided a refuge to Jews who survived the unprecedented horrors of 
the Holocaust and Jewish refugees who fled persecution around the 
world.
  The people of Israel have established a pluralistic democracy that 
includes the freedoms cherished by the people of the United States, 
including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of 
association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the 
governed. Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic 
values by regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free 
exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the 
Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of its 
citizens.
  Additionally, Israel has bravely defended itself from terrorist and 
military attacks repeatedly since independence. With thousands of 
rocket attacks from violent extremist groups in Gaza against Israeli 
civilian targets in recent years that have caused hundreds of 
casualties and have destroyed homes, schools, buildings, roads, power 
lines, and other significant infrastructure, Israel has stood strong. 
Even with the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis over the last 
several years at the hands of murderous, suicide bombers and other 
terrorists, the people of Israel stand strong. Israel continues to seek 
peace with their Palestinian neighbors and have signed landmark peace 
treaties and successfully established peaceful bilateral relations with 
neighboring Egypt and Jordan.
  Moreover, Iran, which continues to reject Israel's right to exist as 
a nation, remains a continued threat to Israel's safety and security, 
both through its support of terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah 
and through its ongoing efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.
  A strong and valuable ally, the United States and Israel enjoy a 
strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, friendship, 
and respect. The United States share a deep affinity with the people of 
Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally. Not only was the 
United States the first nation to offer de facto recognition, but did 
so only 11 minutes after the creation of the state of Israel.
  In recognizing the 63rd anniversary of the independence of the State 
of Israel, I reaffirm enduring, bipartisan support for the alliance and 
friendship between the Governments and peoples of the United States and 
Israel, for Israel to exist as a democratic Jewish state, and for its 
right to defend itself. I look forward to continued cooperation in 
resolving future mutual challenges and extend warm congratulations and 
best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate independence.

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