[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 101 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN 
                                CONFLICT

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                               speech of

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I voted for H. Res. 268 because I believe in 
the bill's underlying premise of a negotiated two-state solution to end 
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bring enduring stability to the 
region. I have always used my voice and my vote to promote peace in the 
Middle East. Too many lives have been lost and too much violence has 
been wrought to do anything else. Citizens throughout the region 
deserve better.
  However, my vote is not without reservations about the provisions in 
this resolution. At this moment of incredible regional volatility, we 
should be encouraging the President to deploy America's full diplomatic 
capacity to pursue peace in the region not discourage recognition of a 
Palestinian state, as this resolution does. We should be encouraging 
the promotion of stability and dialogue with all parties involved, not 
discouraging assistance to the Palestinians, as this resolution does. 
And we should be calling on every actor involved to be a serious broker 
for peace.
  I just traveled to the Middle East and saw firsthand the need for a 
sustainable two-state solution. The question I came away with is: What 
can be done to bring a just and lasting peace? While I hope that this 
resolution can bring us closer to a peaceful solution, I fear that it 
leaves too many hard questions unanswered and too many issues 
unaddressed.
  While I voted for this resolution, I will also continue to support a 
constructive dialogue that can bring this conflict to a permanent end. 
The time for peace is now. We cannot wait a moment longer.

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