[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 171 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IRON DOME CRUCIAL TO DEFEND FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2021

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, last week, in a move 
that stunned me and my Republican colleagues, the Democrats removed 
funding for the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system from the 
continuing resolution. Though I remain hopeful it will ultimately be 
included in the final package, it is unbelievable that scrapping this 
essential system was even being considered.
  The U.S. and Israel have an alliance mutually beneficial for joint 
security and Middle East stability of peace through strength.
  Israel is under regular rocket attack from the terrorist group Hamas, 
from Gaza and Hezbollah from Lebanon, and the Iron Dome, a product of 
U.S.-Israel security cooperation, is designed to intercept and destroy 
short-range rockets and shells the Iran-sponsored terrorists fire 
indiscriminately into their country, targeting civilians. Some 4,400 
rockets were fired into Israel in May alone, and sadly, tens of 
thousands more projectiles may be stockpiled.
  I have been to Israel and know first-hand the fear of attack felt by 
their citizens visiting mothers in Sderot who have traumatized children 
by rocket attacks, and mothers in Jerusalem who have horribly injured 
children by suicide bombers at Hadassah Hospital. Mass murderers must 
be stopped. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) makes 
a difference alerting Americans with the truth by sponsoring 
conferences with Christian civic leaders as this week with Hope Walker 
from South Carolina.
  So, we must continue to support their security needs as an ally and 
as a matter of the broader U.S. national security.
  In conclusion, God Bless our troops, who successfully protected 
America for 20 years as the Global War on Terrorism continues moving 
from abroad to our neighborhoods.

                          ____________________