[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 27560-27564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND EXAMPLE OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER 
           YITZHAK RABIN ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 535) honoring the life, legacy, and example 
of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his 
death.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 535

       Whereas Yitzhak Rabin was born March 1, 1922, in Jerusalem;
       Whereas Yitzhak Rabin volunteered for the Palmach, the 
     elite unit of the Haganah (predecessor of the Israeli Defense 
     Forces), and served for 27 years, including during the 1948 
     War of Independence, the 1956 Suez War, and as Chief of Staff 
     in the June 1967 Six Day War;
       Whereas in 1975, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed the 
     interim agreement with Egypt (Sinai II) which laid the 
     groundwork for the 1979 Camp David Peace Treaty between 
     Israel and Egypt;
       Whereas Yitzhak Rabin served as Ambassador to the United 
     States from 1968-1973, Minister of Defense from 1984-1990, 
     and Prime Minister from 1974-1977 and from 1992 until his 
     assassination in 1995;
       Whereas on September 13, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Yitzhak 
     Rabin signed the Declaration of Principles framework 
     agreement between Israel and the Palestinians;
       Whereas upon the signing of the Declaration of Principles, 
     Yitzhak Rabin said to the Palestinian people: ``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.'';
       Whereas Yitzhak Rabin received the 1994 Nobel Prize for 
     Peace for his vision and bravery as a peacemaker, saying at 
     the time: ``There is only one radical means of sanctifying 
     human lives. Not armored plating, or tanks, or planes, or 
     concrete fortifications. The one radical solution is 
     peace.'';
       Whereas on October 26, 1994, Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein 
     of Jordan signed a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan;
       Whereas on November 4, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was brutally 
     assassinated after attending a peace rally in Tel Aviv where 
     his last words were: ``I have always believed that the 
     majority of the people want peace, are prepared to take risks 
     for peace . . . Peace is what the Jewish People aspire to.''; 
     and
       Whereas Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his life to the cause of 
     peace and security for the state of Israel by defending his 
     nation

[[Page 27561]]

     against all threats, including terrorism and undertaking 
     courageous risks in the pursuit of peace: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the historic role of Yitzhak Rabin for his 
     distinguished service to the Israeli people and extends its 
     deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Yitzhak 
     Rabin and the people of Israel on the tenth anniversary of 
     his death;
       (2) recognizes and reiterates its continued support for the 
     close ties and special relationship between the United States 
     and Israel;
       (3) expresses its admiration for Yitzhak Rabin's legacy and 
     reaffirms its commitment to the process of building a just 
     and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors;
       (4) condemns any and all acts of terrorism; and
       (5) reaffirms unequivocally the sacred principle that 
     democratic leaders and governments must be changed only by 
     the democratically-expressed will of the people.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 535, honoring the life, the 
legacy and the example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
  I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing 
this resolution. I would also like to thank the leadership, along with 
Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos of the House International 
Relations Committee for helping to bring this important resolution to 
the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, on November 4, 1995, Prime Minister Rabin was tragically 
assassinated at a peace rally in Kings of Israel Square in Tel Aviv, 
Israel.
  Moments before his death, Rabin said the following to tens of 
thousands of Israelis: ``Peace entails difficulties, even pain. Israel 
knows no path devoid of pain. But the path of peace is preferable to 
the path of war.''
  Prime Minister Rabin symbolized the complexities of Israeli society. 
He fought in the war of independence, which established the State of 
Israel in 1948, and spent much of his professional life in the 
battlefield defending the State of Israel militarily.
  However, his contributions to the greater battle for Israel's 
security through a negotiated solution is what the people of Israel, 
the Palestinians and, indeed, the rest of the world remember most 10 
years after he uttered his last words of hope and peace in 1995.
  Under Prime Minister Rabin's leadership, Israel signed a Declaration 
of Principles Framework Agreement with the Palestinians in 1993 and a 
peace treaty with Jordan a year later.
  In 1994, Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, saying the following 
about making peace with the Palestinians at the time: ``Mistakes could 
topple the whole structure and bring disaster down upon us despite the 
toll of murderous terrorism, despite fanatic and scheming enemies. We 
will pursue the course of peace with determination and fortitude. We 
will not let up. We will not give in. Peace will triumph over all our 
enemies, because the alternative is grim for us all.''
  Prime Minister Rabin paid the ultimate price for peace; and after his 
death, his beloved wife, Leah Rabin, carried on her husband's message. 
After Mrs. Rabin's passing from lung cancer, her daughter Dalia Rabin 
is leading her father's mission for hope and peace. This resolution is 
also a testament to their hard work and commitment to the ideals of 
their father and husband, Yitzhak Rabin.
  Thanks to the generosity of so many people, Mr. Rabin's legacy will 
permanently be commemorated in the State of Israel through the opening 
of the Yitzhak Rabin Center for Israel Studies.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before the House today honors the memory 
of one of the 20th century's most remarkable leaders.
  It has now been more than a decade since Yitzhak Rabin was laid to 
rest. Just 3 weeks ago, it was my great honor to represent the Congress 
at the official remembrance ceremony for Prime Minister Rabin at his 
grave on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. It was a deeply emotional event and 
a spell-binding experience.
  Rabin was eulogized by many, but none spoke more eloquently and with 
more feeling than former President Bill Clinton and our current 
Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
  As is the custom in Israel, I placed rocks on the graves of both 
Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah, who were friends of mine and my wife, 
Annette, as well.
  I was privileged to attend the opening of the Yitzhak Rabin Center 
for Israeli Studies housed in Tel Aviv in a building designed by the 
incredibly talented architect Moshe Safdie. Through exhibits, seminars 
and scholarship, it will serve as an appropriate and permanent memorial 
to the late, great Prime Minister.
  Many of us in this Chamber remember where we were and what we were 
doing and the devastation we felt on November 4, 1995, as if the 
tragedy had happened just moments ago. I was reading a book about 
Abraham Lincoln, the first American President to be assassinated. I 
remember telling my wife that despite all their difficulties, troubles 
and turmoil, the Israelis at least escaped seeing their leaders 
assassinated; and an hour later, the television reported that Rabin had 
just been shot to death.

                              {time}  1630

  Rabin's life was more majestic than the moment of his murder was 
horrible, powerful as the memory of that moment is. His life was rich 
with legendary achievements and, as befits the first native-born 
Israeli to lead his Nation, his life was also rich with symbolism:
  He played a key role in Israel's War of Independence, and he was 
critical, of course, to Israel's historic success in the Six-Day War. 
As Ambassador to the United States, he helped lay the groundwork of 
U.S. support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War. His honest, piercing 
insights and sometimes gruff style seemed to epitomize a Nation 
renowned both for brilliance and directness.
  In his last years, at times he publicly reflected on the meaning of 
peace and war and life and death. And, when he did so, he surprised 
many of us by revealing in a gravelly voice and in incongruously 
defined tones, a soul seemingly forged by the psalmists and the 
profits.
  His story has been told and retold many times and is familiar to most 
of us. As a youth, he turned down a British mandate scholarship that 
would have allowed him to study hydraulic engineering at Berkeley, my 
alma mater, and perhaps pursue a life of more conventional success. 
Instead, he anchored his life to serving his people and his homeland. 
He became a warrior, a strategist, a politician, a diplomat, a 
statesman, and a peacemaker. He became a general, a chief of staff, an 
ambassador, a defense minister, and a prime minister.
  My wife, Annette, and I were privileged to know him in all of his 
various roles. We knew him and his wife Leah well, and we loved them 
dearly. Rabin was already a giant of Israeli history when he initiated 
the period of intense peacemaking that began with the Oslo agreement. 
For all his many legendary accomplishments, it is that period that 
dominates our memory of him, in part

[[Page 27562]]

because it contrasted so sharply with the military glories of his past 
and because he was cruelly and tragically forced to exit the scene 
before he found out if his labors for peace would bear fruit.
  President Clinton has said that there undoubtedly would have been 
peace had Rabin lived. I am not so sure. But we will never know for 
certain. It is more than possible that Rabin's best efforts would have 
been thwarted by the devious and malevolent Arafat, just as the best 
efforts of Rabin's successors were.
  But I do know this, Mr. Speaker. Rabin would have signed a final 
peace agreement only if he were absolutely convinced that it would 
enhance the security of the democratic State of Israel. The one final 
peace agreement he did sign, the treaty with Jordan, is today the 
sturdiest of all Israel's various agreements with Arab States, and 
Yitzhak was a peacemaker with a spine of steel.
  To me, one aspect of Rabin's life stands out above all others. He was 
a leader. Shimon Peres said it well of Prime Minister Rabin at his 
funeral, calling him ``a rare leader, capable of uprooting mountains 
and blazing trails, of designating a goal and achieving it.''
  Many qualities contributed to his supreme leadership skills, not 
least his thorough identification with his people, their aspirations, 
their anguish, and their sorrows. But his extra dimension, what made 
him a special leader, a giant among giants, was his remarkable 
intellect and his capacity for intellectual growth. As he aged, his 
mind seemed to grow ever more keen and supple. When he signed the 
agreement with Arafat in 1993, he explained it in part by saying that 
the Iraqi missiles that rained down on Tel Aviv convinced him that 
territory alone would not bring security, and that the intifada of 1987 
had convinced him that Israel could never forever rule angry and 
hostile people.
  When he embraced peace, Rabin implicitly created an operational 
paradigm for a two-state solution, subsequently adopted by our own 
government, a paradigm that remains at the heart of all realistic 
visions of peace today, a paradigm that has been embraced and 
elaborated upon by some of his fiercest critics.
  Above all, Rabin believed passionately in democracy and its values. 
In his final speech, at the peace rally in Tel Aviv, and President 
Clinton and Condoleezza Rice and several of us, several tens of 
thousands of us attended a similar rally at the same place 3 weeks ago, 
his final speech indicated that he was aware of foreboding intelligence 
reports because he warned, and I quote, ``violence undermines the very 
foundations of democracy. Controversies may arise in democracy, but the 
decision must be reached through Democratic elections.'' Moments later, 
he became a martyr to a gunshot.
  Today, 10 years after the tragedy, we look at Rabin even with the 
clear-headedness that was his own hallmark, and we recognize him as one 
of the towering figures of our lifetime. We miss him, but we are guided 
by his multiple legacy of courage and wisdom and belief in the 
unflagging importance of U.S.-Israeli friendship and his intertwined 
commitment to security and peace.
  It is very appropriate that our body honor the memory of one of our 
great late friends, Mr. Speaker. I strongly support this legislation, 
and I urge all of my colleagues to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Engel).
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 535, which honors Yitzhak 
Rabin on the 10th anniversary of his assassination. I am honored to be 
the sponsor of this resolution, and I would like to thank my colleagues 
on the International Relations Committee for their assistance and 
support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, as was mentioned by my colleagues, November 4th marked 
the 10th anniversary of the brutal assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, a 
warrior turned peacemaker. In a recent national poll, Israelis ranked 
Rabin's assassination as the third most formative event in the Nation's 
history, after the 1967 and 1973 wars. Rabin's impact in life was 
tremendous and his loss to the world is incalculable.
  I remember attending his funeral in Israel with many Members of this 
body and the other body as well, and many leaders, international 
leaders, and leaders of other nations. Who can forget the moving eulogy 
by then President Bill Clinton, who, among other things, said about Mr. 
Rabin, ``shalom chaver,'' which means ``goodbye friend.''
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation highlights the legacy of the man. The 
Hebrew word for the anniversary of a death is Yizkor, which simply 
means remember. While mourning his loss, we must also celebrate his 
life.
  Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his life to the cause of peace and security 
for the State of Israel by defending his nation against all threats, 
including terrorism, and undertaking courageous risks in the pursuit of 
peace. By adopting this resolution, Congress will honor the life, 
legacy, and example of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
  This resolution expresses our admiration for Mr. Rabin's legacy and 
recognizes his historic service to the Israeli people, while extending 
our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and the people of 
Israel. It also reiterates our continued support for the close ties and 
special relationship between the United States and Israel and the 
building of a just and lasting peace between Israel and all of its 
neighbors.
  We also condemn any and all acts of terrorism, including one that 
happened just the other day in Netanya, and reaffirm unequivocally the 
sacred principle that democratic leaders and governments must be 
changed only by the democratically expressed will of the people.
  Rabin was the first Sabra, a native-born Israeli, to become prime 
minister. He was born in Jerusalem and later volunteered for the 
Palmach, the elite unit of the Haganah, the predecessor of the Israeli 
Defense Forces. He served for 27 years, including during the 1948 War 
of Independence, the 1956 Suez War, and as Chief of Staff in the June 
1967 Six-Day War. In 1975, Prime Minister Rabin signed the Interim 
Agreement with Egypt, which lay the groundwork for the 1979 Camp David 
Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt. He also served as ambassador 
here in Washington, ambassador to the U.S., from 1968 to 1973, Minister 
of Defense from 1984 to 1990, and Prime Minister from 1974 to 1977 and 
from 1992 until his assassination in 1995.
  On September 13, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Yitzhak Rabin signed the 
Declaration of Principles framework agreement between Israel and the 
Palestinians. I remember it well. I attended with my wife, who was then 
7 months pregnant, and it had to be 95 degrees in Washington, but we 
sat on the White House lawn and watched the historic ceremony because 
we wanted to be a part of it. Upon signing, Rabin said to the 
Palestinian people, ``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 humans beings, as free men.''
  He received the 1994 Nobel Prize For Peace for his vision and bravery 
as a peacemaker. The following year, as was pointed out, Rabin and King 
Hussein of Jordan signed a peace treaty between their countries, and we 
know about the tragic assassination. And as was stated before, his last 
words were, ``I have always believed that the majority of the people 
want peace, are prepared to take risks for peace, peace is what the 
Jewish people aspire to.''
  Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, Israel and the world lost a leader of 
vision and strength. Former Prime Minister Rabin epitomized the essence 
of the State of Israel, fierce in his defense of his homeland, but 
always willing to go the extra mile for peace. As we remember him on 
the tenth anniversary of his death, let us express the hope that Israel 
and its neighbors will someday experience this peace that he worked

[[Page 27563]]

so hard to achieve. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 
535.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my friend from New York 
for drafting this most important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also commend my good friend from New 
York (Mr. Engel) for this resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
proposed legislation, ``Honoring the life, legacy, and example of 
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his 
death.''
  Perhaps no man in Israel's short history as a state has been more 
influential on the country as Yitzhak Rabin. The story of Rabin's life 
mirrors the conflicting nature of his county, fiercely wielding the 
sword of war when necessary in one hand, while extending the olive 
branch of peace in the other. Few will be considered to have been more 
dedicated to the peace and security of his country than was Yitzhak 
Rabin.
  As a young man, Rabin's character was hardened by war. He joined the 
army at 18 years old, before it was named the Israeli Defense Force, 
before the state of Israel existed. He would serve in the military for 
27 years, fighting in the 1948 War of Independence, 1956 Suez War, and, 
after rising to the rank of Chief of Staff, commanded the Israeli 
Defense Force in the Six Day War of 1964. Shortly after leading his 
troops to a stunning, decisive victory in that historical war, Rabin 
retired from the military to become a diplomat and politician, perhaps 
suggesting that peace was more effectively sought through diplomacy 
than through war.
  Rabin, who spent a majority of his life as an instrument of war, 
shifted gears and dedicated the rest of his life to the peace process. 
Among his major accomplishments were, as Prime Minister, orchestrating 
the signing of the interim peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, 
which laid the groundwork for the 1979 Camp David Peace Treaty between 
the two countries. Fifteen years later, in his second term of service 
as Prime Minister, he would sign a peace treaty between Israel and 
Jordan. It is remarkable in retrospect that Rabin, who as a young man 
fought several wars against Egypt and Jordan, would be such an 
outspoken and instrumental figure in working towards peace with 
Israel's Arab neighbors.
  Yitzhak Rabin's life was prematurely taken from him on November 4, 
1995, when he was murdered at a peace rally in King David Square. Many 
today suggest that if Rabin had never been murdered, his vision of 
peace for the Middle East may have come to fruition. Despite his great 
military career, Yitzhak Rabin is remembered as a champion of peace.
  I urge my colleagues to honor the distinguished life and legacy of 
Yitzhak Rabin by voting for this legislation. A decade has passed since 
Yitzhak Rabin was murdered; I pray another decade need not pass before 
his lifelong goal of peace in the Middle East is realized.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution honoring the life and legacy of Israeli Prime Minister 
Yitzhak Rabin.
  It has been 10 years, November 4, 1995, since Yitzhak Rabin was 
assassinated by a gunman in central Tel Aviv after attending a rally, 
however, Mr. Rabin's service to the Israeli people and work to promote 
peace with Israel's neighbors is still present today.
  At the age of 19 Mr. Rabin joined the Israeli Army where he served 
for 27 years, culminating his military career as I.D.F. Chief of Staff. 
After retiring from I.D.F. service on January 1, 1968, he was appointed 
Israeli Ambassador to the United States.
  Mr. Rabin returned to Jerusalem in early 1973, and became active in 
the Israel Labor Party. In the December 1973 elections, he was elected 
to the Knesset, and when Golda Meir formed her government in April 
1974, he was appointed Minister of Labor. This government resigned 
shortly afterwards, and on June 2, 1974, the Knesset voted confidence 
in a new government headed by Yitzhak Rabin. As Prime Minister, Mr. 
Rabin placed a special emphasis on improving the economy, solving 
social problems, and strengthening the I.D.F.
  Following the Labor Party's defeat in the May 1977 elections, Mr. 
Rabin served as a member of Knesset in the opposition, until the 
formation of the National Unity Government in September 1984. He then 
served as Minister of Defense in the National Unity Government from 
September 1984 to March 1990.
  From March 15, 1990, to June 23, 1992, Mr. Rabin served again in the 
Knesset in the opposition. Before the 1992 elections, the Israel Labor 
Party held its first nationwide primaries. Mr. Rabin was elected 
chairman of the party in February 1992, and in the June 1992 national 
elections he was elected Prime Minister.
  On September 13, 1993, Mr. Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat 
signed the Declaration of Principles in Washington, DC, outlining the 
proposed interim self-government arrangements. The ``GazaJericho 
First'' agreement, signed in Cairo on May 4, 1994, addressed the 
implementation of the first stage of the Declaration of Principles. 
Following the progress in the negotiations with the Palestinians, Mr. 
Rabin received the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work.
  I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Rabin and value his 
memory. Mr. Rabin was an extraordinary man, and not enough can be said 
about his commitment to the Israeli people, his country, and regional 
peace. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting H. Res. 535 to honor the legacy and life work of Mr. Rabin.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 538. On the 10-year anniversary of his death, I believe that it 
is important to think back and honor the life of Yitzhak Rabin, for he 
was a great figure in the pursuit of worldwide peace and stability in 
the Middle East. During his two terms as Prime Minister of Israel, 
Rabin attempted to work and negotiate with then Palestinian Liberation 
Organization leader Yassar Arafat to bring about a solution to the 
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
  Rabin's service to the nation of Israel began with his work in the 
Israeli Defense Forces. Rabin rose to the position of Chief of Staff, 
and under his command, Israel was able to successfully defend itself 
against its neighboring states during the Six-Day War. Following his 
retirement from the IDF, in 1968 Rabin was chosen to serve as 
ambassador to the United States. In 1973 he was elected to the Knesset. 
Only one year later, Rabin was chosen to be the leader of the labor 
party, eventually being elected Prime Minister of Israel. During the 
early 1990s, in Rabin's second run as Prime Minister, he made it a 
priority to solve the Palestinian conflict. His tireless efforts on 
that behalf led to the Oslo Accord. For his efforts Rabin was awarded 
the Noble Peace Prize.
  As we all know, Prime Minister Rabin was murdered in Tel Aviv by a 
citizen who did not support his efforts towards achieving peace. I had 
the opportunity, along with President Clinton and several other Members 
of Congress, to attend his funeral in Israel. It was one of the most 
deeply moving ceremonies to which I have ever been.
  We remember Yitzhak Rabin today as a great man who worked his whole 
life to protect and strengthen the free state that is Israel. His 
memory inspires us to continue the progress for global peace. It is 
crucial that his memory and influence is not forgotten a decade after 
his tragic assassination.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 535, and 
appreciate this opportunity to honor the life, legacy, and example of 
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his 
death.
  My first trip to Israel was to attend Mr. Rabin's funeral. During my 
most recent trip to Israel I joined with thousands of Israelis and 
other international guests in a moving tribute to his distinguished 
life.
  Yitzhak Rabin said that, ``politicians are elected by adults to 
represent the children.'' In my eyes, Rabin was a man that politicians 
could look up to for his tremendous valor and courage. During the peace 
rally in Tel Aviv where he was brutally assassinated his last words 
were: ``I have always believed that the majority of the people want 
peace, are prepared to take risks for peace. Peace is what the Jewish 
People aspire to.''
  Mr. Rabin served in war and was a man of peace. His death was a 
tremendous loss for Israel and the whole world. I urge all my 
colleagues to support this resolution honoring his life and legacy.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H. Res. 535, honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime 
Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death. Mr. Rabin 
dedicated himself to peace and worked to ensure a lasting peace between 
the Israelis and Palestinians. Today we honor his legacy and, by doing 
so, commit ourselves once again to building a lasting peace in this 
still volatile region.
  Mr. Rabin led a distinguished life dedicated to his people. He served 
in the Israeli army, as Ambassador to the United States, as the 
Minister of Defense, and as the Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, 
Rabin was instrumental in the signing of an interim agreement with 
Egypt in 1979 and the Declaration of Principles framework agreement 
between the Israelis and Palestinians in 1993.

[[Page 27564]]

  For his efforts, Mr. Rabin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994. 
At that time he stated, ``there is only one radical means of 
sanctifying human lives. Not armored plating, or tanks, or planes, or 
concrete fortifications. The one radical solution is peace.''
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of House 
Resolution 535, which honors the life of former Israeli Prime Minister 
Yitzak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his assassination. I would 
like to join the world community in celebrating his life and legacy. 
Yitzak Rabin will forever be known as a man of peace who provided many, 
Arabs and Jews alike, with the promise of change in a region engulfed 
in violence. His life gives us hope for the progress of the peace 
process in the Middle East. The anniversary of his death reaffirms the 
special relationship between the United States and Israel and serves as 
a reminder that negotiations can be successful and peace between Arabs 
and Jews can be attained. I hope current leaders in the region honor 
Rabin and use this opportunity to breathe new life into the peace 
process.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of a warrior 
for peace. Yitzhak Rabin, a former solider, the former chief of staff 
of the Israeli Defense Force, put down his gun and decided that 
sacrifice was necessary to achieve peace.
  After fighting Israel's enemies his whole life, Yitzhak Rabin chose 
to talk to his enemies at the negotiating table. He chose to try and 
end a conflict that pre-dated the birth of the state of Israel by 
agreeing to exchange valuable land for the end of all bloodshed.
  Yitzhak Rabin knew that war was not the answer. He knew that war does 
not bring along peace. In his 1994 Nobel Prize acceptance speech he 
said, ``There is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives. Not 
armored plating, or tanks, or planes, or concrete fortifications. The 
one radical solution is peace.''
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mark the legacy of a leader who not only 
spoke about peace, but gave his life in the pursuit of peace. His life 
was taken away from him because he tried to end the bloodshed of his 
people. Yitzhak Rabin was a leader for peace and today we remember him 
for that legacy.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
535, a resolution honoring the memory of former Israeli Prime Minister 
Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his assassination.
  Prime Minister Rabin served the people of Israel for two terms as 
Prime Minister, as well as previous roles as Ambassador to the United 
States, Minister of Defense and Member of the Knesset. Among his many 
accomplishments, it is his role as a visionary peacemaker which has 
ensured him a place of honor in history.
  Mr. Rabin began his career during Israel's War for Independence as a 
member of the Jewish Defense Forces. For the next 19 years, he held 
various positions in the Israeli Defense Forces, ending his tenure 
there as chief of staff. In this role, he was able to strengthen 
Israel's ties with the United States, fostering the special 
relationship which continues to benefit these two nations.
  Mr. Rabin also had a distinguished five-year tenure as Israeli 
ambassador to the United States. At the height of the Cold War, he 
encouraged Israel to stand strongly on the side of the United States. 
The relationship between the two countries blossomed in this period as 
Israel established itself as a trustworthy ally in the Middle East.
  During his tenure as Prime Minister, Mr. Rabin made remarkable 
progress in the Middle East peace movement. Teaming with former rival 
Shimon Peres, Mr. Rabin entered peace negotiations with then-Palestine 
Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat in 1993 in Oslo, Norway. 
Prime Minister Rabin, Mr. Peres and Mr. Arafat all received the Nobel 
Peace Prize for their efforts.
  As a member of the Clinton Administration, I had the pleasure of 
witnessing the signing of these historical accords on the White House 
lawn. Meeting Prime Minister Rabin was an honor I will never forget, 
and his example continues to inspire me to this day.
  Prime Minister Rabin was revered by the Israeli citizens for his 
unwavering commitment to the peace process. Tragically, the life of 
this man of peace was cut short by an extremist gunman on November 4, 
1995. I would like to express my condolences to the family of Prime 
Minister Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for introducing this 
important resolution, and I urge my colleages to honor the memory of 
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 535.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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