[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11996]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             JERUSALEM DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to join the Jewish people in 
Jerusalem and throughout the world in celebration of Yom Yerushalyim, 
Jerusalem Day.
  On June 7, 1967 the 28th of Iyar 5727, the Israel Defense Forces in 
the heat of the Six-Day War, unified the city of Jerusalem under Jewish 
control. At approximately 10 a.m. on that day, the earth shattering 
proclamation ``The Temple Mount is ours, It is in our hands'' 
reverberated in the hearts of Jews across the globe. The dream of once 
again being able to visit the Kotel, The Western Wall, and other 
previously inaccessible holy sites of Jerusalem, had become a reality. 
In the subsequent years to follow, Jewish people from every nation on 
earth would make pilgrimages to the holy city of Jerusalem to visit its 
revered sites and offer their heartfelt prayers.
  Every stone in Jerusalem is saturated with Jewish history, every 
street has some story and saga of biblical times and modem times. Even 
though Jerusalem is a city laden with rich archeological artifacts, and 
remnants of ancient times, it has become a thriving city that has 
preserved its historic nature and adapted to modem life. Beautiful 
shopping malls, fresh food markets and restaurants are commonplace in 
Jerusalem, which emphasize the cultural advancements Israel has made in 
such a short period of time.
  Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of modem day Jerusalem is its 
abundance of Yeshivas, Kollels and the prominence of Jewish religious 
life. It is truly inspiring to see Jews, young and old immersed in the 
deep study of Jewish texts. Many Hasidic sects and other Orthodox 
institutions based in my district have satellite branches in Jerusalem 
and quite a few of my young constituents study Judaism in Jerusalem and 
return to the United States invigorated from their experiences.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize this very jubilant day and 
reaffirm my unflinching support for the City of Jerusalem and the State 
of lsrael.

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