[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 118 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING AMBASSADOR GILAD ERDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RITCHIE TORRES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2024

  Mr. TORRES of New York. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the 
extraordinary career of Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, 
Gilad Erdan. Ambassador Erdan began his career in public service as an 
advisor, first to Ariel Sharon and then to Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2003, 
Ambassador Erdan was elected to the Knesset as a member of Likud. 
During his fourteen years as a Member of the Knesset, Ambassador Erdan 
served in a variety of ministerial positions. He was first appointed as 
the Minister for Environmental Protection following the 2009 elections. 
In this role, he worked to clean rivers, increase recycling, and 
protect Israel's coastline. In 2013, Ambassador Erdan was appointed the 
Minister of Communications and Minister of Home Front Defense. 
Subsequently, in 2014, he served as the Minister of Interior. Following 
the 2015 elections, Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed him Minister of 
Public Security. In this position, he combated terrorism, reformed 
cannabis law, and worked to protect children from online predators.
  In 2020, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Erdan would serve 
concurrently as Ambassador to the United Nations and the United 
States--a distinction not bestowed upon an ambassador since the 1950s. 
In 2022, he was elected the Vice President of the 77th General 
Assembly, a major honor for any diplomat. While serving as Ambassador 
to the United Nations, Ambassador Erdan has fearlessly advocated for 
Israel's interests in front of the assembly. In his role as Ambassador, 
I have had the pleasure of working with him and witnessing his 
commitment to Israel first-hand. I wish him the best in his next role 
and am confident that he will continue to be a strong advocate for the 
people of Israel.

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