[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 184 (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5473-H5474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bean) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson 
declared November 11 as Armistice Day, a day in which to honor those 
who gave their all in World War I.
  In 1954, Congress amended Armistice Day to be inclusive of all 
veterans who have fought for American freedom, effectively changing its 
name to Veterans Day. It is on this day that we salute our remarkable, 
brave patriots who keep America safe.
  We the people enjoy the blessings of hard-earned peace, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness because of our warriors who answered the call 
to defend our Nation.
  Our men and women in uniform are a constant reminder of the true 
source of our Nation's greatness, and many veterans have freely given 
the last full measure of their devotion for our Nation. Because of 
their defense, our Nation remains strong, and our children can pursue 
their dreams.
  To our veterans, your loved ones have endured seasons without a 
parent, a child, a sibling. On Veterans Day, we also recognize your 
families and thank them for their sacrifice.
  It is my greatest honor to represent so many heroes who have served 
our Nation or who are serving our Nation from the Fourth Congressional 
District of Florida. Just as they have fought for our country, I will 
always fight for them.
  Mr. Speaker, here is the truth about Veterans Day. It is not just one 
day. It

[[Page H5474]]

is every day because every day America and her people cherish the 
sacrifice and the service of our Nation's veterans.


    October 7 Is Deadliest Day in Jewish History Since the Holocaust

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, hearts, minds, and 
lives were forever changed. We believed hatred and murder of Jews to be 
a thing of the past, but we were heartbreakingly wrong.
  October 7 will go down as the deadliest day in Jewish history since 
the Holocaust.
  Today, our strongest ally in the Middle East, our friend, Israel, is 
at war after enduring a multipronged terror attack by Hamas.
  Let me be clear: Hamas is not a militant group. They are terrorists.
  The atrocities that took place on October 7 by Hamas against innocent 
Israelis were not the result of provocation. It was a massacre.

  It was not in response to occupation of the Gaza Strip. It was a 
massacre.
  It was not a flare-up. It was a massacre.
  If you take elderly women, mothers, the disabled, and children 
hostage, or if you target families and slaughter and torture civilians 
indiscriminately, you do not get to claim the moral high ground.
  There can be no confusion about the war between Israel and Hamas. It 
is good versus evil. It is civilization versus barbarism. It is self-
defense against aggression.
  We must be a voice for the truth, and here is the truth: At least 
1,400 Israelis were murdered. More than 4,400 were severely injured. 
More than 200 hostages were taken to be used as human shields. Twenty-
seven Americans are dead, and 10 remain unaccounted for.
  Make no mistake, Israel is shaken but is not defeated. The United 
States must be bold and courageous in standing up for the nation of 
Israel and the right for her to defend itself.
  When fighting evil, there can be no neutrality. We must send a clear 
message to Hamas and Hezbollah and those that fund them that the United 
States stands with Israel today, tomorrow, and always.

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