[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE UNBREAKABLE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND 
                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in unwavering 
support of our nation's great friend and ally, the State of Israel. On 
July 31, 2013, I voted in favor of H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran 
Prevention Act of 2013, which overwhelmingly passed in the House of 
Representatives by a vote of 400-20. I would like to take this 
opportunity to commend my colleagues, Foreign Affairs Committee 
Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, for introducing this 
important legislation, of which I am a proud co-sponsor. The bill 
targets human rights violators while increasing effective sanctions to 
prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
  For more than half a century, the United States and Israel have 
shared the common bonds of democracy, economic vitality, and cultural 
affinity. These ties remain as strong today as when President Harry 
Truman first recognized the creation of a Jewish State in 1948. From 
religious kinships to shared interests, and from military strengths to 
commercial relations, the enduring friendship between the United States 
and Israel is unbreakable.
  However, Israel continues to face serious regional threats, concerns 
which are also shared by the United States. A nuclear-armed Iran 
represents a direct threat to Israel's existence, the stability of the 
region, and the security of the entire global community. That is why we 
must stand firmly with Israel in the struggle against the Iranian 
regime's ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons and support for terrorism. 
Its peace-threatening actions and statements should be taken seriously, 
and the international community has a responsibility to act.
  I have long supported sanctions efforts in Congress, and will 
continue to do so as long as Iran insists on pursuing its dangerous 
course of action. Together with the international community, we must 
increase the pressure on Iran's authoritarian government to give up its 
nuclear ambitions. Existing United States and European Union measures 
have already reduced Iran's oil exports by more than half from pre-
sanction levels of about 2.2 million barrels per day, bpd. This new 
round of sanctions cuts that number to near zero within a year, further 
crippling Tehran's ability to fund its nuclear program.
  The United States must work with Iran's neighbors and our allies to 
hold a hard line against the acquisition of these dangerous, 
destabilizing weapons. At the same time, we must continue to support 
the Iranian people's efforts to reform their government to respect the 
rights of all citizens. Finally, it is essential that the United States 
remain supportive of Israel's absolute right to defend itself and 
protect its citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. It is my sincere 
hope that one day all people in the region can live with dignity and 
freedom in peace. Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens 
that future.

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