[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)] [Senate] [Pages S2786-S2787] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING ISRAELI PRESIDENT SHIMON PERES Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I was honored to take part in a ceremony honoring Israeli President Shimon Peres. I ask unanimous consent that the remarks I made at the ceremony be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [May 7, 2014] Luncheon in Honor of Shimon Peres Remarks by Senator John McCain It is my pleasure to join all of you today as we honor President Shimon Peres, one of the bravest and most principled political leaders of our time. I was honored to join with my colleagues in the Senate to pass legislation bestowing the congressional gold medal on this great man. I was not surprised when that legislation passed unanimously, and it my hope that our colleagues in the House will move forward with their own legislation soon. President Peres deserves this honor. The story of his life is entwined with the story of [[Page S2787]] the birth and development of the State of Israel, and in him we see the essence of Israel itself--an invincible spirit that cannot be denied. Through his determination, his strength and perseverance, and his profound compassion, President Peres enabled a seemingly impossible dream to become a reality and changed forever the destiny of the Jewish people. Even as a young man, Shimon Peres showed a dedication to public service and a commitment to the pursuit of justice and peace. He was an active leader in the ``Working Youth'' group, he founded a kibbutz in the Jordan Valley, and became a member of the Haganah [hah-gah-nah]--all before he reached 21. Over the course of his seventy years of public service, President Peres has served as a member of the Knesset for 48 years and held virtually every position in dozens of cabinets, serving in nearly two dozen ministerial posts including twice as Prime Minister, and as Defense Minister, Treasury Minister, and Foreign Minister. He was then elected as the ninth President of the State of Israel, the position he holds today. I have met many brave and inspiring people in my life, but there are few who have done more to preserve freedom for future generations than Shimon Peres. He recognized that the highest duty of leaders is to protect and preserve the freedom and security of their people, even in the face of hostility and in the face of doubt and disappointment. And this is just what President Peres has done, not only for the Jewish people but for all people. He has been a leader for strength, building Israel's military and defense capabilities. He has been a leader for prosperity, helping make Israel one of the strongest economies in the world today. And he has been a leader for peace, making difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions in persuading the Palestinians to pursue negotiations and find peace for all, standing by his belief that all children, both Israeli and Arab alike, deserve the chance to grow up and grow old free from the threat of violence and tyranny. In the time that I have known Shimon Peres, I have been inspired by his statesmanship, leadership, courage and civility. And among his many virtues, I have been most inspired by his idealism. Shimon Peres has always been a dreamer. He once said that ``dreaming is only being pragmatic''--words that drew criticism from some and laughter from others. But he is right, of course. It is difficult to understand how someone who has witnessed such unspeakable horrors in his life can still place such faith in dreams. But it is due in part to his optimism and idealism, and his willingness to serve on behalf of those dreams, that Israel exists today. By never giving up on his dreams, Shimon Peres reminds us that we do not need to give in to complacency or cynicism--and why we can't afford to. So I join all of you in recognizing the great achievements of Shimon Peres. And I thank you for devoting your time to honor this great man. With your help, it is my hope that our friends in the House will complete the necessary legislation, and all of us in Congress will be able to join together to express the abiding affection and admiration that we and the American people have for one of Israel's most distinguished sons--a man whose inspiration and impact will endure far beyond the generations who have witnessed them. ____________________