[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JERUSALEM DAY

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam 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 contains a story and saga from biblical times, as well as modern 
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 modern life. 
Beautiful shopping malls, fresh food markets and restaurants are 
commonplace in Jerusalem, which emphasizes the enormous cultural 
advancements that the modern State of Israel has made in its short 
existence.
  Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of modern 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.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize this very jubilant day and 
reaffirm my unflinching support for the city of Jerusalem and the State 
of Israel.

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