[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25290]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   REFLECTING ON THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF FORMER ISRAELI PRIME 
                         MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 7, 2005

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reflect on the life and 
contributions of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was 
tragically assassinated 10 years ago. Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his 
entire life to the cause of peace and security for Israel. He fought 
tirelessly for the right of all Israelis to live normal lives without 
fear of attack, to dine with friends, to shop, and to send their 
children to school on buses. Yitzhak Rabin was many things, a soldier, 
an Ambassador, a Knesset Member, a Prime Minsiter, and Nobel Peace 
Prize laureate. He is remembered best as a peacemaker who changed the 
course of history.
   In addition to valiantly serving Israel's armed forces for 27 years, 
including during the War of Independence, the Suez War, and the Six-Day 
War as Chief of Staff, Yitzhak Rabin is responsible for leading Israel 
through many historic times. In 1975 he signed the interim agreement 
with Egypt which laid the groundwork for peace between Israel and 
Egypt. In 1976, Yitzhak Rabin ordered the successful liberation of the 
hijacked Air France flight, known as Operation Entebbe. And in 1994 
Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan signed a peace treaty between 
Israel and Jordan. Most notably, Yitzhak Rabin's legacy includes the 
signing of the Declaration of Principles framework agreement between 
Israel and the Palestinians, and the famous handshake with the late PLO 
Chairman Yassir Arafat on the White House lawn.
  Upon the signing of the Declaration of Principles on September 13, 
1993, Yitzhak Rabin said to the Palestinians, ``We say to you today in 
a loud and clear voice: Enough of blood and tears. Enough. We harbor no 
hatred toward you. We have no desire for revenge. We, like you, are 
people who want to build a home, plant a tree, love, live side by side 
with you--in dignity, empathy, as human beings, as free men . . .''
  Clearly, this was a man who envisioned a free, secure, and democratic 
Jewish state at peace with all its neighbors. Yitzhak Rabin's message 
resounded across Israel, and it is no wonder that on November 4, 1995, 
he attended and spoke at a peace rally in Tel Aviv amidst tens of 
thousands of enthusiastic supporters with banners proclaiming ``Yes to 
peace--no to violence.'' In his final address at the peace rally 
Yitzhak Rabin stated, ``I have always believed that the majority of the 
people want peace, are prepared to take risks for peace,'' and ``Peace 
is what the Jewish People aspire to, a true aspiration.'' Yitzhak Rabin 
was fatally shot by a Jewish student as he left the rally.
  On the 10th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's death, I wish to express 
the deepest condolences of the American people to the family of Yitzhak 
Rabin and to all the people of Israel for the loss of this great 
leader. Additionally, we must honor his life and his work by continuing 
the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.
  The United States and Israel share a special bond, one that Yitzhak 
Rabin helped to establish during his time as Ambassador to the U.S. 
This bond is steadfast and represents the abundance of shared values 
and common goals of our two societies. I am proud to be part of the 
U.S. Congress, a body which stands by Israel when Israel needs us. Just 
last week, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Conference 
Report of the Fiscal Year 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act 
which includes $2.3 billion in military assistance and $240 million in 
economic assistance to Israel. Without a doubt, Yitzhak Rabin's legacy 
of bringing the U.S. and Israel closer together lives on.
  Ten years after Yitzhak Rabin's tragic death, let us renew our 
commitment to fostering peace in the Middle East. We must encourage 
efforts that support the peacemakers of this world and penalize those 
who would murder innocents. Yitzhak Rabin has left a wonderful legacy 
over his long and distinguished career of service, and it is with the 
utmost respect and admiration that I support the people of Israel in 
their quest for peace.

                          ____________________