[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 78 (Monday, May 14, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2633-S2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the following 
nomination, which the clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Michael Y. Scudder, of 
Illinois, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.


      70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the State of Israel

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, as President pro tempore of the U.S. 
Senate, I ask my colleagues to join me in marking a special day. 
Exactly 70 years ago today, the State of Israel was established. On the 
same day, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel's 
statehood. I applaud President Trump's decision to commemorate this 
historic anniversary with the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
  In the 70 years since its founding, Israel has shared an unbreakable 
bond with the United States. I am pleased to be a friend of Israel's 
and to have played an integral role in strengthening relations between 
our two countries.
  It is difficult for me to express the profound reverence I have for 
the Jewish people. As a symbol of my respect, I wear a mezuzah around 
my neck and have done so every day for almost four decades--I think, 
actually, for more than four decades. The mezuzah reminds me of the 
affinity I, as a member of the Mormon faith, hold for the Jewish people 
and their history. Both Israel and Utah were settled by religious 
minorities who sought refuge from persecution--a shared history that 
deepens our devotion to democracy and our love of freedom.
  Although my schedule does not allow me to be in Israel today, perhaps 
it is even more appropriate that I make these remarks here rather than 
in Jerusalem, where I would like to be. After all, today should be seen 
as an American holiday just as it is an Israeli one. America's 
interests, prosperity, and security have benefited immeasurably from 
our deep friendship with the State of Israel. Indeed, the world is a 
much better place because of Israel, and it is high time the country 
received its fair treatment on the world stage. That is why, last week, 
I joined Senator Booker in introducing legislation that calls for the 
fair treatment of Israel and urges other nations to foster diplomatic 
ties with the country and recognize its sovereignty.
  Israel desperately needs allies. Indeed, the events of last week are 
a stark reminder that Israel has many enemies that seek its 
destruction. The Iranian Government directed missile strikes into the 
Golan Heights in the early hours of the morning last Thursday. Just 
hours before, the Iranian Government announced it may explore enriching 
uranium toward acquiring nuclear weapons. I know the Golan Heights. I 
have been there. I have looked over the Golan Heights.

[[Page S2634]]

  We stand at a historic crossroads. Whatever your ideas about the Iran 
deal, whether you were for it or against it, we should remember the 
goals and ideas of the Iranian Government have not changed. They are, 
as they have been for the last several decades, aimed at the 
destruction of Israel.
  Our Israeli friends need our help. So my message today is to the 
American people, to their Representatives in both Chambers of Congress, 
and to all the nations of the world. Now is not the time for 
partisanship or political games. Now is the time for meaningful and 
unified action in defense of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
  That means a number of things. It starts with all of our getting 
behind this President and his new approach to Iran. We can have our 
disagreements on his policies in other areas, but taking an aggressive, 
holistic posture on Iran should be a bipartisan issue. We must be 
willing to confront Iran on its nuclear program as well as on its bases 
in Syria, its support for terrorism, and its numerous violations of 
human rights and religious freedom. Here in Congress, we should support 
the administration's position through legislation.
  To that end, I invite my colleagues to join me on a number of 
initiatives I have championed this Congress, including the Continued 
Support for the Iranian People Act, which holds the Iranian regime 
responsible for its human rights abuses. I also call on my friends to 
join me in supporting the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, 
which exposes the hypocrisy of the Iranian Government in its funding of 
violent causes rather than in its providing for the welfare of its 
people.
  These actions are just the beginning. We now have an opportunity to 
hold the Iranian Government accountable. We should start with curbing 
Iran's nuclear ambitions. We would do well to remember that Iran's 
nuclear program is not an end in itself but just one of many tools the 
government has at its disposal for causing great harm.
  In that light, we need to appeal to our partners in Europe and in the 
Middle East to not only settle on talking points but on plans of 
action. If, indeed, we share the priority of protecting democratic 
values and institutions, we must do so by protecting Israel--a beacon 
of democracy in the Middle East. We need to both talk the talk and walk 
the walk.
  The world is a different place from what it was in 1948, and so is 
Israel. Today, Israel is on the cutting edge of every innovation that 
helps the human condition--from medicine to technology, to irrigation. 
As a testament to Israel's strength, it has nurtured partnerships 
across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
  The United States must continue doing its part to foster these 
partnerships. Just as important, we must continue leading the charge in 
ideas and actions that can help bring about a secure Israel. The task 
has never been more urgent. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to 
come together on this--to build a future of peace and prosperity for 
Israel and its neighbors. Let Israel's founding be a holiday for us 
and, indeed, for all nations of the world, and let us pray that we can 
soon celebrate this anniversary in more peaceful times.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.