[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29856]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    H. CON. RES. 288, HONORING SEEDS OF PEACE FOR ITS PROMOTION OF 
UNDERSTANDING, RECONCILIATION, ACCEPTANCE, COEXISTENCE, AND PEACE AMONG 
        YOUTH FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND OTHER REGIONS OF CONFLICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
288, Honoring Seeds of Peace for its promotion of understanding, 
reconciliation, acceptance, coexistence, and peace among youth from the 
Middle East and other regions of conflict.
  I am a strong supporter of Seeds of Peace, which brings youngsters 
from conflict areas together to literally sow the seeds of peace and to 
develop the next generation of leaders. I have had the privilege of 
working with Seeds of Peace during my time in Congress and have seen 
the benefits of this program.
  During July, Seeds of Peace had a breakfast in Congress and I was 
able to participate and eat with several campers. During the breakfast 
I had the opportunity to speak with several second year campers. Two of 
these campers were an Israeli and a Palestinian, these two boys had 
become close friends and they told me that regardless of the violence 
going on around them at home they still made efforts to see each other.
  They told me about the difficulties they sometimes faced when 
security was tight entering Israel but they still made their efforts to 
stay in contact. The boys told me that while they don't agree on 
everything they still work together to find a solution to whatever 
problem may arise, they are able to work it out.
  Mr. Speaker, whether they are Arab or Jew, Greek or Turkish, 
Protestant or Catholic, Indian or Pakistani, bringing people together 
will achieve a lasting return in understanding and toleration.
  I firmly believe that by working together, conflict can be overcome. 
The United States Congress, and our country should continue to support 
these people to people partnerships, which lay the groundwork for 
cooperation, coexistence and ultimately peace in the future.

                          ____________________