[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9153-9158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         COMMENDING ISRAEL'S REDEPLOYMENT FROM SOUTHERN LEBANON

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 331) commending Israel's 
redeployment from southern Lebanon, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 331

       Whereas Israel has been actively seeking a comprehensive 
     peace with all of her neighbors to bring about an end to the 
     Arab-Israeli conflict;
       Whereas southern Lebanon has for decades been the staging 
     area for attacks against Israeli cities and towns by 
     Hezbollah and by Palestinian terrorists, resulting in the 
     death or wounding of hundreds of Israeli civilians;
       Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 
     (March 19, 1978) calls upon Israel to withdraw its forces 
     from all Lebanese territory;

[[Page 9154]]

       Whereas the Government of Israel unanimously agreed to 
     implement Security Council Resolution 425 and has stated its 
     intention of redeploying its forces to the international 
     border by July 7, 2000;
       Whereas Security Council Resolution 425 also calls for 
     ``strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty 
     and political independence of Lebanon within its 
     internationally recognized boundaries'' and establishes a 
     United Nations interim force to help restore Lebanese 
     sovereignty; and
       Whereas the Government of Syria currently deploys 30,000 
     Syrian troops in Lebanon: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends Israel for its decision to withdraw its forces 
     from southern Lebanon and for taking risks for peace in the 
     Middle East;
       (2) calls upon the United Nations Security Council--
       (A) to recognize Israel's fulfillment of its obligations 
     under Security Council Resolution 425 and to provide the 
     necessary resources for the United Nations Interim Force in 
     Lebanon (UNIFIL) to implement its mandate under that 
     resolution; and
       (B) insist upon the withdrawal of all foreign forces from 
     Lebanese territory so that Lebanon may exercise sovereignty 
     throughout its territory;
       (3) urges UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed 
     Forces, to gain full control over southern Lebanon, including 
     taking actions to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all 
     other such groups, in order to eliminate all terrorist 
     activity originating from that area;
       (4) appeals to the Government of Lebanon to grant clemency 
     and assure the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese 
     society of all members of the South Lebanon Army and their 
     families;
       (5) calls upon the international community to ensure that 
     southern Lebanon does not once again become a staging ground 
     for attacks against Israel and to cooperate in bringing about 
     the reconstruction and reintegration of southern Lebanon;
       (6) recognizes Israel's right, enshrined in Chapter 7, 
     Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, to defend itself 
     and its people from attack and reasserts United States 
     support for maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in 
     order to ensure Israel's long-term security; and
       (7) urges all parties to reenter the peace process with the 
     Government of Israel in order to bring peace and stability to 
     all the Middle East.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the ranking minority member of our 
committee, for purposes of debate only, pending which I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 331, introduced 
by our distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Armey), which commends Israel's decision to withdraw its forces from 
southern Lebanon.
  The events of the past few days have indeed been historic. I was 
pleased to be an original sponsor of this resolution, which calls on 
the U.N. Security Council to recognize Israel's fulfillment of U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 425 by withdrawing from Lebanon and to 
insist that all foreign forces be withdrawn from that country.
  The measure we are considering today is a major foreign policy 
statement of the Congress. It is pro-Israel and pro-Lebanon, sends a 
strong bipartisan message of peace and stability to the region. As a 
result of this latest major development, a high priority of the United 
States must also be to affirm Israel's right as noted in the U.N. 
charter to defend itself and its civilians from attack.
  H. Con. Res. 331, Mr. Speaker, also reasserts U.S. support for 
maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in order to ensure 
Israel's long-term security.
  Mr. Speaker, Israel's courageous decision to pull out of Lebanon 
demonstrates its strong commitment to a peaceful resolution to the 
conflicts that troubled that region. I hope that Israel's courage is 
reciprocated by both Syria and Iran in their dealings with Lebanon. 
This means that the 30,000 Syrian forces now occupying Lebanon should 
also be removed as required by the Taif Accord. Moreover, Iran must 
understand that it cannot continue to equip and train Hezbollah and 
other terrorist groups without bearing the consequences of 
international public opinion.
  As our colleagues know, Israel has been actively seeking a 
comprehensive peace with all of her neighbors since its miraculous 
creation in 1948, yet southern Lebanon has for decades been the staging 
area for attacks against Israeli citizens and towns by Hezbollah and 
Palestinian terrorists, resulting in the death or wounding of hundreds 
of Israeli civilians.
  H. Con. Res. 331 recognizes the courageous risks for Israel that 
Israel is taking, as well as confirming the strict respect for the 
territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of 
Lebanon. It also appeals to the government of Lebanon to grant clemency 
and ensure the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese society of all 
members of the south Lebanon Army and their families.
  This measure underscores the congressional desire for the U.N. 
Security Council to swiftly recognize Israel's fulfillment of its 
obligation. The U.N. should also provide the necessary resources for 
the U.N. interim force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, to implement its mandate 
under resolution 425. UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese armed 
forces, must gain full control over southern Lebanon, including taking 
actions to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all other such 
groups.
  All terrorist activities originating from southern Lebanon must end 
and every effort must be taken to ensure that southern Lebanon does not 
once again become a staging ground for attacks against Israel.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that progress in the Middle East 
peace process is frequently measured in inches; yet the events of the 
past few days emphasize the miles that Israel will go to achieve 
peaceful co-existence with her neighbors.
  Accordingly, I urge all parties to reenter the negotiating process 
with the government of Israel in order to bring peace and stability to 
the entire region and reiterate my strongest support for the adoption 
of H. Con. Res. 331.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to our distinguished 
majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the sponsor of 
this resolution.
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to preface my comments today by 
paying my respects, as old professors are wont to do sometimes, I would 
say to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), to a former favored 
student, Mr. Nami Saba, a young man that had grown up in Lebanon and a 
young man who loved peace, who loved freedom, who loved learning and 
became quite a scholar in his own right. He set for me an example of 
what Lebanese culture, what the Lebanese people could be like and what 
this nation that we call Lebanon could once again be someday perhaps. 
So my wish tonight is not only for the people of Israel but for the 
people of Lebanon, those who, like Nami Saba, wanted only to be free to 
live in peace and to learn and to study and to share lovingly and 
graciously what they understood with other people.
  Still, at this time, Mr. Speaker, we have a resolution that commends 
Israel for having the courage to take a risk for peace, and it does 
take a risk. As anybody watching these events now knows, Israel has 
again been willing to take that risk. It can only hope, as the 
resolution also urges, that all foreign forces will now leave Lebanon. 
There is no reason for the Syrians or anyone else to be there. Lebanon, 
its problems and its challenges, should be left to the Lebanese.
  Mr. Speaker, Israel has faced dangers on its northern border and 
indeed from all sides, this despite the fact that her people desire 
only to live in peace. I firmly believe, as this resolution further 
states, that the United States must help maintain Israel's qualitative 
military edge. Israel is our best friend in the region, and we must 
stand with the Israeli people.
  Again, I want to commend Israel for taking risks for peace; and if I 
might dare say again, on a personal note here, for the people of Israel 
and indeed for my friend, Nami Saba, I wish shalom, shalom.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I would ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from 
Florida

[[Page 9155]]

(Mr. Hastings) be in control of my time at the conclusion of my 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, the courage of the head of the Israeli 
government, Mr. Barak, during the campaign to state with certainty that 
he would remove Israeli forces from Lebanon was an exhibit of the 
courage that he has in his commitment to the peace process. As the 
majority leader pointed out, this did take risks, but with a 
recognition that things cannot remain as they are in the Middle East. 
Israel took tremendous risks to remove its forces and pull back from an 
area that had buffered its people from constant assaults and attack.
  This is an opportunity for peace. We would hope that all the 
countries in the region, that in particular Syria does not make any 
effort to exploit this movement of Israeli forces back to Israel's 
territory. All the world watches to see if the countries of the region 
will help Lebanon, that has suffered so much for so many years, to 
rebuild itself and gain control of its own territory.
  Hezbollah should understand this is an opportunity for them to 
develop a political presence, not to expand a military presence in the 
region.
  The courageous acts of the Israelis recognizing during the campaign 
that Israeli presence out of Lebanon was a necessity should now be 
supported by the U.N. and other countries helping to rebuild Lebanon, 
helping Lebanon to regain control of its own territory, and helping us 
move forward in the peace process, with the Palestinians and all the 
countries of the region. When we look at the Middle East and we see the 
courage of the new king of Jordan, the leadership of the president of 
Egypt, we understand there is the capacity for peace. Now we will test 
all the countries in the region to see if that capacity can be spread 
and peace can indeed return to the land.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Hastings), for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, there are four basic points I would like to make. First, 
I want to join the majority leader and my other colleagues in 
commending the State of Israel for withdrawing its forces from southern 
Lebanon. These forces were inserted into southern Lebanon in the first 
place because there were cross-border raids resulting in the death and 
mutilation of large numbers of Israelis, adults as well as children. 
The Israeli forces were in southern Lebanon not as an occupying force. 
Israel did not covet a single square inch of Lebanese territory. They 
were there as a buffer to protect the northern communities of the State 
of Israel from terrorist attacks.
  I want to particularly commend Prime Minister Barak, Israel's most 
highly decorated soldier, for having the courage and taking the 
initiative in withdrawing these forces. Too, Mr. Speaker, we now have 
to ask Lebanon to act like a sovereign and independent country. Lebanon 
has a sizable military. That military now must move to the southern 
border of Lebanon, as any other country would do, so that the Lebanese 
military will protect its own territory. It is unacceptable that 
terrorist groups such as Hezbollah maintain control over the border 
region. Should that happen, it is easy to predict that a conflagration 
is just around the corner with incalculable consequences.
  So the second thing we in this Congress must call for is for Lebanon 
to accept its own responsibility as a sovereign nation and to protect 
its own southern border.

                              {time}  1800

  The third point, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make relates to Syria. 
Syria has had over 30,000 troops in Lebanon for years. The excuse for 
the stationing of such a huge Syrian military force in Lebanon was the 
presence in southern Lebanon of Israeli forces. That presence no longer 
exists. Let me repeat. That presence no longer exists. There is not a 
single Israeli soldier left on Lebanese territory.
  I call upon President Asad to remove all of his forces from Lebanon. 
There is no justification in the 21st century for a neighbor to have 
occupying forces in a sovereign country. Syrian forces must forthwith 
withdraw from Lebanon if, indeed, a regional peace is to be built.
  My final comment, Mr. Speaker, relates to the United Nations. The 
United Nations has about 4,500 troops in southern Lebanon. Some of 
these troops have been effective in policing. Some of the United 
Nations forces have performed their responsibilities well. Others have 
not. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, whom 
we will welcome here tomorrow for lunch, now has the task of persuading 
the Security Council to send an additional United Nations force made up 
of dependable national contingents to assist in the policing of 
southern Lebanon. If these things happen, Mr. Speaker, we might look 
forward to the restoration of peace and stability between the state of 
Israel and the state of Lebanon.
  May I say on a personal note, Mr. Speaker, that my first trip to 
Lebanon was in 1956. In the 1960s, I was asked to assume the Presidency 
of the American University in Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanon used to be 
referred to as the Switzerland of the Middle East and justifiably so.
  I hope that the Lebanese government will show the responsibility and 
the courage to move in this crisis. If they do, a new future will be 
opened to the Lebanese people who certainly deserve it, and peace 
between Lebanon and Israel will follow the peace that was established 
between Egypt and Israel and Jordan and Israel.
  Once the Lebanese-Israeli peace is at long last established, 
President Asad of Syria will recognize that he, too, has this option to 
make peace with his neighbor Israel so that, at long last, this region 
can live in peace.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution calls for the United Nations Security 
Council Resolution 425 to be implemented, and it is being done or has 
been done by Israel in that it has now withdrawn its forces from all 
Lebanese territory.
  Bridges of peace are buttressed by planks of good faith. Israel has 
acted in good faith by their actions, and they are right in this 
resolution by my colleagues and those of us that are cosponsors and are 
commended.
  The time is now for all the parties to reenter the peace process. 
Central to this resolution are two things that I would like to point 
to. One, it appeals to the government of Lebanon to grant clemency and 
assure the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese society of all 
members of the South Lebanon Army and their families. I wish that they 
would undertake that portion of the resolution.
  In addition, it calls upon the international community to ensure that 
southern Lebanon does not once again become a staging ground for 
attacks against Israel and to cooperate in bringing about the 
reconstruction and reintegration of southern Lebanon. Syria has a role 
to play in that, the United Nations has a role to play in that, and 
Hezbollah law has a critical role to play in ensuring that that takes 
place.
  I would like to commend Mr. Barak and his colleagues for their 
foresightedness with reference to this matter and urge all parties to 
reenter the negotiations so that there can be peace and stability in 
the Middle East.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Wexler) whose district abuts mine.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Hastings) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that there are two points that need to be made 
very clearly and could not be more dramatic. First and foremost, from 
here on in, nobody can say anything other than Israel has, in fact, 
fulfilled its obligations under the United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 425.

[[Page 9156]]

  As a result of Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, could it also not be 
said that the ball is now in the court of the Lebanese people, their 
leadership, as well as the Syrian people and their leadership.
  This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Israeli withdrawal from 
Lebanon to be an impetus for peace. But Israel's actions, as they 
represent a risk for peace, will only result in peace if they are 
followed by similar risks by the Lebanese government and the Syrian 
government.
  There can be no more excuses. Those that allege a fight in the name 
of some kind of redeployment or removal from Israel from Lebanon have 
no more excuses. It is time for Hezbollah to put down its arms. It is 
time for the United Nations to ensure peace in southern Lebanon and 
Israel's northern border.
  The world should be put at alarm because, for now, it is the Lebanese 
people and the Syrian leadership that have the opportunity to create a 
real and lasting peace.
  This resolution first and foremost sends our message, sends our 
strong will to the Israeli people and, at the same time, sends our 
great hope to the Lebanese people that they will reassert sovereignty 
over their country.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), a tireless worker 
for peace in the Middle East.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida, my 
mother's congressman, for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 331, commending 
Israel's redeployment from southern Lebanon. Israel has fully complied 
with UN Resolution 425, removing its troops from Lebanon. Now I think 
it is fairly obvious that Syria ought to do the same.
  There are currently 35,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon, and clearly 
those troops stop the Lebanese people from being masters of their own 
destiny. Syria allows Hezbollah, has allowed Hezbollah to stage attacks 
on the Israeli soldiers who were in southern Lebanon. If Hezbollah 
attempts to go across the border and attack Israel proper, the blame 
will surely be and squarely be at Syria's doorstep.
  Indeed, when Israel announced that it was withdrawing from southern 
Lebanon, something that the United Nations and the Syrians and other 
Nations, the Arab Nations, have all said that they wanted for all these 
years, it was the Syrians who warned Israel and said they better not do 
that, they better not leave, which, to me, was simply mind boggling. 
When Israel said it will remove its troops from Lebanon, the Syrians 
were the ones who objected.
  So it clearly shows that Syria has been using Lebanon and the 
Lebanese people as bargaining chips and for whatever purposes, other 
purposes they have for many, many years. Syria should get out of 
Lebanon now and allow the Lebanese people to control their own destiny.
  I commend Prime Minister Barak and the Israeli government and the 
Israeli people for clearly showing that they want peace. What better 
way to show peace is at hand than to have Syria pull out as well?
  When President Clinton met with Mr. Asad in Europe not long ago 
trying to help broker a peace between Syria and Israel, it was 
painfully clear to all that Mr. Asad and the Syrian government was not 
really interested in a genuine peace. In order to have peace, there has 
to be give-and-take. There has to be compromise. Both sides need to 
give in. But Mr. Asad, unfortunately, wanted it to be only a one-sided 
peace.
  So the world really can look now at the Middle East and see which 
country is prepared to take risks for peace, which country is taking 
risks for peace, which country wanted to do it together, and not being 
allowed to do it together is now doing it unilaterally taking risks for 
peace. That country is Israel. Syria ought to do the same.
  We ought to pass this resolution unanimously.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have 
remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). The gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Hastings) has 15 minutes remaining.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), a new member of the 
Committee on International Relations who has distinguished himself with 
his service there.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Hastings) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 331, 
commending Israel's redeployment from southern Lebanon.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the 
majority leader; the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the 
minority leader; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), Committee on 
International Relations chairman; and the gentleman form Connecticut 
(Mr. Gejdenson), ranking member, for their leadership on this issue and 
for bringing this resolution to the floor so quickly.
  As a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 331, I am extremely pleased to see 
this legislation come before the House this evening.
  Israel has shown great courage in unilaterally withdrawing its forces 
from Lebanon.
  Israeli Prime Minister Barak is to be commended for keeping his word 
to the Israeli people and removing Israeli defense forces from southern 
Lebanon. This action clearly demonstrates that Prime Minister Barak is 
firmly committed to moving the peace process forward, despite the 
intransigence of the Syrians and the security risks associated with 
this withdrawal.
  I am pleased that the UN just yesterday endorsed a plan for verifying 
Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. The UN has also called for all 
parties to show restraint and cooperate with UN peacekeepers in 
Lebanon. UN officials must now verify that Israel has returned over the 
borders that it crossed in 1978. I urge them to do this quickly.
  In another positive move, the Lebanese government indicated that it 
was ready to delay pressing its claim, although tenuous at best, to the 
land in the Golan Heights. Unfortunately, Hezbollah guerrillas appear 
committed to continuing the war.
  Israel has withdrawn. The UN peacekeepers must now be allowed to do 
their work in that region. It is my hope that Hezbollah will show some 
restraint and restrain from attacks against Israel and the Israeli 
people. But if Hezbollah does not respect Israel's borders, then Israel 
has every right to defend itself.
  Israel has taken an enormous leap of faith to make peace with its 
neighbors, and I call upon Syria to resume its negotiations with Israel 
in good faith and broker a lasting peace with Israel.
  Finally, I would like to say that I am ready to work with the 
leadership of this House, the Committee on International Relations, and 
the government of Israel should assistance in settling the SLA and 
their families either here or in Israel be needed.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow), a tireless worker, a 
person that has worked actively for peace in the Middle East.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida so much 
for yielding me this time. He has been such a leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 331. As 
we know, this resolution commends Israel for its decision to withdraw 
its troops from southern Lebanon and for taking risks for peace and the 
Middle East.

                              {time}  1815

  And we should be commending them, all of us together, unanimously 
hopefully, for the risks that they have taken for peace.
  This resolution also calls upon the United Nations Security Council 
to recognize Israel's fulfillment of its obligations under Security 
Council Resolution 425 and to provide the necessary resources for the 
United Nations interim force in Lebanon to implement

[[Page 9157]]

its mandate under that resolution. It also insists upon the withdrawal 
of all foreign forces from Lebanon territory so that Lebanon may 
exercise sovereignty throughout its territory.
  It is also important that this resolution calls upon the entire 
international community to ensure that southern Lebanon does not once 
again become a staging ground for attacks against Israel, and to 
cooperate in bringing about the reconstruction and reintegration of 
southern Lebanon.
  It is important that we are here this evening. It is important that 
we are here recognizing the risks that have been taken for peace, and I 
hope that we will all join together in supporting Israel's actions, the 
independence of Lebanon, and a secure Middle East peace.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), who has worked tirelessly in 
this effort and others for peace throughout the world.
  Mr. McNULTY.  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot emphasize too much how big a risk this is for 
peace. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, a little more 
than 50 years ago, the people of Israel have had to fight five wars 
just to survive, and I am proud of the fact that the United States of 
America has been an ally to Israel all throughout those years. I am 
proud of the fact that Harry Truman was the first world leader to step 
forward and recognize the State of Israel.
  From time to time I am asked by my constituents why I am such a 
strong supporter of aid to Israel, and I give them many answers. Two of 
them are these: Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and 
Israel is the best ally that the United States has at the U.N.
  Another thing Harry Truman used to say is, ``Let's look at the 
record.'' I have looked at the record and Israel is our best ally. Now, 
some might say, well, we have a lot of other allies around the world. 
But a lot of time when push comes to shove, they are not there for us, 
they do not vote with us, they do not act with us.
  I remember in the early days of the Reagan administration, when 
President Ronald Reagan wanted to do a retaliatory strike against Libya 
for its terrorist activities. We went to one of our traditional allies, 
which would not exist if it were not for the United States of America 
and what we did in World War II, and we did not ask for money, we did 
not ask for any military personnel, and we did not ask for planes. The 
President said, on our way to do the mission, can we fly through your 
airspace. And our ally said, no.
  I submit to my colleagues that with allies like that, we do not need 
enemies.
  So I stand here before my colleagues today in support of a true ally, 
who once again takes the risk for peace. And as they step forward and 
take that risk again, I join with my colleagues in making the point 
that it is now time for Syria to reciprocate.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), a person who has spent years 
working for Middle East peace and for peace in this country as well. 
She is a mentor of mine and one who has no peer on this subject, a 
person with whom I have had the pleasure of being in Israel with on 
three different occasions.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of this 
resolution. And, first, I want to thank my good colleague, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), for that very gracious 
introduction.
  I remember that trip to Israel, and I remember very well when the 
gentleman and I and the black caucus visited all the sites, and every 
one came back committed, understanding the strong relationship between 
Israel and the United States and the importance of that relationship, 
and that our support for Israel is in the interest of the United 
States. I appreciate the gentleman's generosity as a very, very strong 
supporter, which the gentleman is.
  I want to commend Israel, Mr. Speaker, on the completion of its 
historic withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the latest in one of many 
risks the government and the people of Israel have taken for peace. 
This unilateral action is a significant step in the effort to achieve a 
comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
  The people of Israel have had enough. They have seen enough of their 
sons, their fathers, their husbands die during the last 2 decades. With 
the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 425, 
redeployment from southern Lebanon, Israel has taken a very brave step 
towards achieving peace with their neighbors, a peace that will benefit 
Israel's children, Lebanon's children, and the whole region for years 
to come.
  This decision has not come without risks. Hezbollah terrorists have 
consistently staged attacks against cities and towns on Israel's 
northern border. The withdrawal of Israeli forces have left a vacuum in 
southern Lebanon, and Syria still harbors 30,000 troops on Lebanese 
soil. As we stand here, thousands of Israeli citizens have fled their 
homes in northern Israel to escape violent attacks.
  As a champion of Middle East peace, the United States must stand 
firmly, strongly, and unequivocally with the people of Israel during 
this difficult time. We must insist on the immediate withdrawal of 
Syrian forces from Lebanon. We must encourage the United Nations to 
recognize Israel's brave choice and to help stabilize southern Lebanon 
and reintegrate it with the rest of the country. Most of all, we must 
never, ever forget Israel's paramount right to make its own decisions 
about the security of its people and its border.
  I urge all of my colleagues to recognize the courage of the people of 
Israel, the courage they have shown this week and throughout the Middle 
East peace process, and to reaffirm our commitment to the present and 
future security of one of our very best allies. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I rise to join in the commendation of the people of Israel 
and the government of Israel for taking this important step.
  It is a courageous step to try to bring some order to the chaos that 
has been Lebanon. The prime minister of Israel and the government of 
Israel have taken a very methodical look at what it is going to take to 
bring peace to that part of the world, and it is clear that the chaos 
that has been Lebanon has to be brought to order. So the government of 
Israel, the prime minister of Israel, have unilaterally and 
courageously taken this step.
  We, as friends, deep friends of Israel, must lend our help; and we 
must call on Syria to follow with full withdrawal from Lebanon so that 
order can be restored to Lebanon. So I join my friend, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Hastings), and my good friend, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McNulty), and the others here today in commending Israel and 
urging our support, the support of the American people, as they try to 
bring peace to this part of the world, to the Middle East, which has 
been wracked with war for far too long.
  Through this courageous action, Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that they 
will have peace now on the northern border and that this will remove 
some of the difficulties that Syria has been putting in the way. So we 
here should lend our support and our commendation to Israel.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume merely to commend the majority leader, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Armey), and the chairman of the Committee on International 
Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), as well as the 
ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Gejdenson), for their cooperative effort in expediting this resolution 
in the

[[Page 9158]]

hope that it will be on the floor for Members to act on tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the measure now under consideration, H. Con. Res. 331.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Is there objection 
to the request of the gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the concurrent 
resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________