[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8094-8101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ISRAEL

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise to honor and celebrate Israel's 
60th anniversary. On a sad note, this is the first year that we honor 
Israel's anniversary without my friend and former colleague, 
Congressman Tom Lantos, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee. Mr. Lantos was the only Holocaust survivor to ever serve in 
Congress, and his recent passing has left a hollow void for all of us.
  Mr. President, on April 22 of this year, the Senate unanimously 
adopted a resolution expressing our unwavering commitment to the 
sovereign and independent State of Israel.
  Sixty years after its founding, we now witness a strong nation, a 
steadfast ally and strategic partner of the United States, a dynamic 
democracy with a thriving economic, political, cultural, and 
intellectual life, that survives despite the heavy costs of war, 
terrorism, and unjustified diplomatic and economic boycotts.
  We now witness an innovative nation which has developed some of the 
leading universities in the world and produced eight recipients of the 
Nobel prize.
  We now witness a compassionate nation, which regularly sends 
humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other 
emergency supplies to help victims of disasters around the world and 
which has taken in millions of Jews from countries around the world, 
often fleeing those countries and persecution. These accomplishments 
have followed one of the most tragic events in human civilization: the 
slaughter of more than 6 million European Jews during the Holocaust.
  We are reminded that, as I have said many times before on this floor, 
the events of the Holocaust are not distant and are not buried in the 
past. Today, those who survived the camps live to tell us their story, 
the stories of their families and their lives before the Holocaust. 
Their children and grandchildren are here with us too. They are living 
testimony to the strength, the courage, and optimism of their parents 
and grandparents. But in their hearts and in their souls they feel the 
pain and suffering of those who raised them. In them, too, the past is 
present.
  Echoes from that tragedy still rattle our world in other ways. Every 
time a hateful slogan is spray-painted on a wall, every time a bigoted 
joke spreads like wildfire on the Internet, every time a synagogue 
somewhere in the world has to station armed guards outside so its 
members can pray in peace, and every time a terrorist Qassam rocket 
attack from Gaza shatters a pane of glass at a family's home or a 
school, we feel the dark shadows of history falling upon our time.
  It is a harsh reality that 60 years after its founding, the nation of 
Israel continues to face mounting threats to its way of life and its 
existence. Sixty years after the establishment of a

[[Page 8095]]

homeland for the Jewish people, antisemitism is very much alive.
  So those who speak against the sovereignty of Israel or threaten its 
obliteration or who believe that antisemitism is an attack that need 
not be answered, do not recognize the consequences of history. In fact, 
an attack against anyone simply because of race or religion is 
ultimately the beginning of the unraveling of civilization. So it is in 
our common interests to raise our voices against antisemitism.
  By honoring and commemorating the 60th anniversary of Israel, we do 
more than congratulate a nation. We take a stand against hatred and 
discrimination everywhere. We recognize a triumph over fear and 
achievement of industriousness, a victory of hope. We express our 
sincere confidence that despite the challenges its people have faced, 
despite the threats to their very existence, Israel has and it shall 
overcome.
  Israel and the Jewish people have held many commemorations and events 
over the past week. Yesterday was a day to remember those who gave 
their lives to protect the State of Israel and others who have fallen 
victim to attacks from its enemies. Today is a day to celebrate the 
nation's 60 years of life. It is a day for celebration and for strong 
action.
  On this day, we pause to commemorate all of those who have 
contributed to make Israel such a strong nation, and we pledge to 
continue to strengthen our bonds of close friendship and cooperation so 
that as proud as this nation's history is, the future will be even 
brighter still.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Connecticut is 
recognized.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Chair.
  Mr. President, I thank my colleague from New Jersey for his powerful 
and eloquent words. I am privileged now to stand to join him in giving 
honor and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the 
modern State of Israel, which is a day truly to celebrate.
  The 20th century witnessed unprecedented horrors inflicted by man 
against his fellow man, from the trenches of World War I to the gulag 
archipelago of the Soviet Union to the killing fields of Cambodia and 
Rwanda and, of course, the genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany against 
the Jews of Europe.
  Against these acts of bloodshed and repression and violence, the 
creation of the modern State of Israel in 1948 stands as a counterpoint 
in human history, a soaring act of hope and faith in our capacity as 
human beings to rise from the ashes of despair and to rebuild and 
restore that which for so long had seemed hopelessly lost.
  The modern history of the State of Israel goes back 60 years, but of 
course the history of Israel goes back more than 4,000 years ago to the 
first words that God spoke to Abraham as recorded in Genesis 1:21:

       Now get thee unto the land that I will show thee, and I 
     will make thee a great Nation.

  That was the covenant that God made with Abraham and which God 
repeated to Isaac, to Jacob, and then to Moses who, with God's help, 
delivered the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to Mount Sinai 
where they received the Ten Commandments, their national statement of 
purpose and destiny, and then after 40 years in the wilderness, 
returned to the land that God had promised--the land of Israel.
  It was there in the land of Israel more than 3,000 years ago that 
King David entered Jerusalem and declared it to be the capital of the 
Jewish people. And it was there in Jerusalem that David's son Solomon 
built a holy temple to house the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten 
Commandments. Thus in one place was established both the political 
capital of the Jewish people and the religious center of that people's 
faith.
  It was also there almost 2,600 years ago on a dark day in history 
that the temple that Solomon built was destroyed. The Jewish people 
were forced into exile, returning just 40 years later to their homeland 
to rebuild the temple. It was during the time of the second temple 
under Roman rule that Jesus of Nazareth lived, preached, taught, and 
healed the Jews of Israel. But the temple was to be destroyed once 
more, and most, if not all, of the Jews were forced to flee the land.
  For nearly two millennia, the Jewish people in the Diaspora prayed 
every day that they could return to the promised land. For almost 1,900 
years, the State of Israel was thus carried in the hearts of millions 
of these Jewish exiles, and even more millions of Christians who prayed 
some of those same prayers for Zion's restoration, particularly here in 
America.
  That collective yearning gave rise to a new political movement at the 
end of the 19th century--the modern Zionist movement. It was led by 
Theodore Herzl and a small band of followers, Jewish and Christian, 
throughout the world. Many people said those early Zionists of the 
modern era were naive dreamers, but Herzl replied: ``If you will it, it 
is no dream.'' If you will it, it is no dream. Will it they did, and 
work for it they did. In 1948, 60 years ago this month, their dream 
became a reality.
  The story of Israel's rebirth is inextricably bound up in the story 
of another extraordinary principal, purposeful nation with its own 
special sense of destiny, and that is, of course, our own beloved 
country--the United States of America.
  From the earliest days of our Nation's history, there has been a link 
between the promise of America and the promise of Israel. The early 
settlers to America in fact believed they were founding here a new 
Jerusalem. The first minister to step foot at Plymouth Rock uttered 
words from the prophet Jeremiah. Many of our Nation's Founding Fathers 
were themselves Zionists. The President of the Continental Congress, 
Elias Boudinot, predicted that the mighty power of God would someday 
return the Jews to their beloved land. And John Adams wrote:

       I really wish to see the Jews again in Judea as an 
     independent Nation.

  When the modern State of Israel declared its independence 60 years 
ago this month, it was officially and most significantly recognized a 
mere 11 minutes later by a great American President, Harry S. Truman.
  Americans and Israelis alike are the children of freedom. We are both 
devoted to our democratic ideals, our culture of economic opportunity, 
and our political pluralism. These are the principles we cherish and 
the principles that define not just who we are but who we aspire to be. 
I think it is the main reason, when our two nations look at each other, 
we so often see the best of ourselves. It is also why succeeding 
Presidents of both parties since Harry Truman have given such steadfast 
support to the State of Israel.
  I have often said as Presidents come and go, some seem more 
supportive of Israel, some somewhat less. The current President 
obviously is one of those who has most steadfastly and significantly 
supported Israel. But over the long term, the great guarantor of the 
U.S.-Israel relationship has been the bipartisan, pro-Israel majorities 
in both Houses of Congress.
  Throughout her brief history, Israel has also courageously faced 
enemies who have threatened her existence. Today we once again see the 
rise of such threats to Israel, including some that are existential. 
Those threats come from the same Islamist extremists and terrorists who 
threaten America today and against whom we are fighting the global war 
on terrorism. History has taught us that we cannot ignore or appease 
these dangers, so let's never forget that Israel is a living symbol for 
the ideals we as Americans treasure--the ideals of freedom and human 
dignity.
  It is sometimes said that nations do not have permanent friends, only 
permanent interests. But I believe the United States of America has a 
permanent interest in our permanent friendship with the State of Israel 
because that friendship is based on eternal values. We pledge today on 
the day of this 60th anniversary of the modern State of Israel, and we 
pray with God's help that those eternal values and permanent 
friendships will sustain these two great democratic nations eternally.
  I thank the Chair, and I yield the floor.

[[Page 8096]]

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate and to 
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of 
Israel. I wish to commend my colleagues from Connecticut and New 
Jersey, Senators Menendez and Lieberman, on their statements this 
morning.
  Since its independence in 1948, Israel's promotion of democratic 
values has helped forge a thriving society and a bastion of freedom in 
a region where that value is sadly all too scarce. The vision of a 
permanent homeland for the Jewish people was centuries in the making 
and was finally achieved in May of 1948. From its outset, Israel has 
faced a myriad of challenges which it has navigated successfully 
against all odds. A small state with few natural resources and residing 
in a region decidedly unfriendly to its very existence, the odds 
against Israel have always been high. Yet the nation of Israel has 
endured.
  Today, Israel is known for a vibrant, high-tech economy. It 
successfully accommodates a significant Arab population inside its 
borders, allowing Arab representatives to serve in the Knesset. It has 
achieved broad universal recognition and has forged peace with previous 
enemies, including Egypt and Jordan. This will to surmount adversity 
time and time again comes from the tenacious spirit of its people and 
represents the very reason we are able to celebrate their anniversary 
today.
  I was fortunate enough to visit Israel in November of 2005 and meet 
with various people who make up the mosaic of that great nation. Today 
I want to share with my colleagues two indelible experiences.
  First, I toured a semiconductor plant, the Vishay plant near Tel 
Aviv, a plant whose base company is located in Chester County, PA. What 
made this plant so special outside of its Pennsylvania ties was that it 
was started by a Holocaust survivor, Dr. Felix Zandman, and his son 
Mark who led us on the tour.
  We not only observed the factory processes and equipment but also, 
and more importantly, the resiliency, I should say, of this brave 
family. Dr. Zandman experienced the most horrific fate imaginable to 
man. Yet out of his experience, he was able to pick up the pieces of 
his life, begin participating in his community again, and to become a 
very successful businessman, who now contributes to the global economy. 
To me, his story reflects the strength and courage embodied in the 
Jewish people.
  The next experience occurred while attending a Saturday dinner in 
Jerusalem after the end of the Sabbath. I was at the home of Rabbi 
Daniel Gordis, who is well known in the United States. He went to 
Israel from the United States. The rabbi had a 19-year-old daughter at 
that time who was serving in the military. At dinner, Rabbi Gordis told 
us the story about going very early in the morning to wake up his 
daughter to take her back to where she was stationed in the army, only 
to notice that, while she was soundly sleeping in her bed, next to her 
automatic weapon was her Curious George stuffed animal from her 
childhood. As the father of four daughters, I will never forget that 
image--the image of a young Jewish woman, bravely serving her country, 
but not that far removed from her own childhood. Rabbi Daniel Gordis, 
like so many parents in Israel, was feeling the emotion, the human 
emotion of love for his daughter and, at the same time, love for his 
country. There is no better example of the profound sacrifices of the 
Jewish people and what they have given to build and preserve the state 
of Israel. The story of Rabbi Daniel Gordis and his daughter is 
Israel's story.
  I was reminded, when I was there, of a passage from Scripture. We 
went by a school, and this part of scripture was inscribed on the 
school, which, in many ways, represented the bright promise and future 
of Israel. It is taken from the prophet Zechariah, chapter 8, and I 
will quote it briefly. This is the prophet predicting thousands of 
years into the future at that time:

       There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets 
     of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for 
     every age.
       And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls 
     playing in the streets thereof.

  That prophecy of long ago has indeed come to pass for the great state 
of Israel. So today, and every day, when we celebrate their bold 
entrepreneurial spirit, a strong sense of community, a commitment to 
national service and, obviously, a commitment to liberty, all these 
values, combined with the democratic ideal that permeates their 
society, all these make Israel what it is today and demonstrates why it 
is such a strong ally of the United States of America. Our two nations 
share a deep and unshakable bond, and that alliance, I believe, will 
endure for the next 60 years, and for all of our tomorrows, as it has 
for the previous six decades.
  As the world community continues to deal with conflicts in the 
region, the Jewish people must know that the United States will always 
extend our assistance to our indispensable ally as it moves forward on 
the road toward peace and stability.
  Once again, I extend my warmest congratulations to the state of 
Israel on its 60th anniversary.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maryland is 
recognized.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, first, let me thank my colleague Senator 
Casey for his comments about the state of Israel. He has captured the 
special nature of Israel, which one gets when they have an opportunity 
to visit the country and see the faces of the people of Israel and what 
they have been able to accomplish in a relatively short period of time, 
in a very small country.
  Today, we in the Senate pause to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary. 
To the strongest ally of the United States in the Middle East, we wish 
Israel continued success.
  There is good reason that Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle 
East. It is a nation that has been built upon democratic principles, a 
trusted ally in our war against terror. It shares our values in a 
critically important part of the world to the United States.
  President Lyndon Johnson said, ``The U.S. and Israel share many 
common objectives, chief of which is the building of a better world in 
which every nation can develop its resources, and develop them in 
freedom and peace.''
  Israel today is a vibrant oasis of democracy in a region of the world 
replete with secular and religious dictators.
  For 60 years, there have been near constant military and terrorist 
threats, economic boycotts, and diplomatic hostility. Yet it still 
stands as a thriving, pluralistic democracy, with the rule of law, and 
an independent judiciary that works to protect freedom of speech, 
association, religion, a free press, and fair and open elections.
  Israel has become not only a regional power but international leader 
in agriculture, health, science, medicine, high tech, and security. It 
has used that expertise to reach out and help so many other countries 
in the world deal with its challenges. Although it is a very small 
country, eight of its citizens have been acknowledged as Nobel 
laureates. In homeland security, it has helped the United States in 
dealing with our war against terror in the post-9/11 era.
  Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport is a model for airport security. Our 
Nation has benefited by learning how the Israelis protected their 
airports, and we are using many of those procedures here in the United 
States to protect our own citizens.
  I can tell you how the Israelis have helped Maryland deal with 
homeland security issues. They have come and looked at one of our urban 
hospitals to make sure we take every precaution to protect the citizens 
of Maryland.
  Israel is a safe haven for Jews--from the Soviet Union, to Ethiopia, 
or any country where Jews are threatened. As David Ben-Gurion said 60 
years ago, ``The land of Israel was the birth place of the Jewish 
people. Here their spiritual, religious, and political identity was 
shaped. Here they first attained statehood, created cultural values of 
national and universal significance and gave the world the eternal Book 
of Books.''

[[Page 8097]]

  Ben-Gurion went on to say that the State of Israel ``will be based on 
freedom, justice, and peace, as envisioned by the prophets of Israel; 
it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all 
of its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race, or sex; it will 
guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and 
culture; it will safeguard the holy places of all religions.''
  Since its first days as a modern state, it has sought peace with its 
Arab neighbors. During the declaration of independence, Israel stated:

       We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their 
     peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness and 
     appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual 
     help with its sovereign Jewish people settled in its own 
     lands. The state of Israel is prepared to do its share in a 
     common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.

  It has had success, with the help of the United States, as peace 
agreements were entered into with Egypt and Jordan. But to those who 
continue to challenge Israel's sovereignty and security, let me caution 
them with the words of President John F. Kennedy when he said:

       Israel was not created in order to disappear. Israel will 
     endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the hope of 
     the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor 
     demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy 
     and it honors the sword of freedom.

  On the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel, we wish it continued 
success and peace, as the bond between our two countries continues to 
strengthen.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Delaware is 
recognized.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for up to 10 minutes.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, 60 years ago, on May 8--or May 14, under 
our western calendar--Israel declared its independence. On this special 
day, when Jews and Christians, heads of state, and others around the 
world celebrate the founding of Israel, I rise for a few minutes to 
reaffirm our Nation's commitment to Israel's security and the pursuit 
of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East.
  That is one of the reasons I cosponsored the resolution recognizing 
Israel's 60th birthday, and reaffirming the close ties between our 
country and Israel, a nation I have been privileged to visit as a 
Congressman, as a Governor, as a Senator, and maybe most importantly as 
a father with a teenage son.
  Current events threaten to overshadow the importance, though, of this 
independence day: Prime Minister Omert is again being investigated. 
Another round of peace talks appears to have stalled once more. Hamas 
continues to launch Qassam rockets at Sderot and other towns near Gaza. 
Suicide bombings continue. Hezbollah has increased military capability, 
with support from Syria and Iran. The leaders of Iran--the most active 
state sponsor of terrorism in the world--continue to call for Israel's 
destruction, while denying that the Holocaust ever occurred.
  These are enormous, complex challenges. But after 7 wars in only 60 
years, Israel somehow has achieved remarkable--some would say 
miraculous--success, all the while having to fight for its existence 
almost every single day.
  Today is the day to express our fundamental pride in a number of 
their successes. For example, Israel's population today is 7.3 million 
people, more than 9 times the 800,000 who lived there in 1948. Since 
its founding, over 3 million immigrants have been successfully 
absorbed.
  While Israel is the world capital of Torah learning, it is among the 
world's leaders in high-tech, medical, and scientific advances. In 
1948, there were only two universities; today there are eight. On a per 
capita basis, Israel's GDP places it in the top tier of all nations. 
Democratic institutions flourish there. Both Jews and Arabs serve in 
Israel's Parliament, the Kennesset. Additionally, Israel has an 
independent, effective judiciary and a free press.
  So today I rise to join many of my colleagues in reaffirming the 
commitment of the United States to Israel's security.
  For the people of Israel, to its citizens, our message is simple and 
clear: We will continue to stand in solidarity with you. We are proud 
of what you have become.
  As I said earlier, I have had the privilege of visiting Israel a 
number of times--when I served in the House, as a Governor leading a 
trade delegation, as a Member of the Senate, and perhaps the most 
special and memorable visit for me was with my teenage son, roughly 3 
years ago. We were in Israel on Easter weekend. We actually had the 
privilege of being on Golgotha, where Christ was believed to have been 
crucified, and we were there on Easter Sunday. We were privileged to be 
at the tomb where Christ's body was believed to have been lain, and we 
placed our hands there on Easter Sunday. What an unforgettable memory. 
I had the privilege of meeting Prime Minister Shamir, Ehud Barak, Ariel 
Sharon, Netanyahu, and Shimon Peres, among others. I will never forget 
being at the home of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel on July 4, roughly 
10 years ago--being there and meeting what seemed like half of the 
leadership of Israel, and any number of prominent Israeli citizens as 
our guests that day celebrating our independence, our Nation's 
birthday.
  Today, some 10 years later, as we prepare to celebrate Israel's 
birthday with the Israelis and people all over the world, I want to 
close with the words of Israeli President Shimon Peres spoken only a 
few days ago. I know the Presiding Officer has met Shimon Peres before 
in the number of roles he has played. I have been fortunate to do that 
as well. I have never met anyone who has a greater gift with the 
English language than this man.
  I want to share these words he said a couple days ago:

       Over the past 60 years, we have something that previous 
     generations of Jews, those who were trampled in the pogroms 
     and who were burned in the crematoria, did not have. The 
     soldiers who fell created a miracle unparalleled in history: 
     the miracle of the state of Israel. . . . For 60 years, they 
     fought in seven wars that were forced upon us, and that we 
     won. They enabled us to establish an exemplary society, to be 
     trailblazers in the world in . . . agriculture, medicine and 
     defense, to be a peace-seeking people, a democratic state, 
     and a state that seeks justice.

  To that I would only add, may it be so for a millennium or more.
  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I join my colleagues who have come to 
the floor today to recognize and salute the 60th anniversary of the 
founding of the modern state of Israel.
  Today is a great milestone for the people of Israel--and for all 
Americans. Ever since President Truman recognized Israel minutes after 
its birth on May 14, 1948, the United States and Israel have enjoyed a 
friendship based on values rooted in democracy and mutual strategic 
goals.
  Israel's survival and success are a remarkable testimony to the 
vision that inspired its creation six decades ago and to the Israeli 
people who have made that vision a reality .
  On this day of celebration, we must reflect on the course charted by 
the great leaders over the last six decades that have made this 
milestone possible. Though the journey has not always been along a 
straight and smooth path, each step along the way has been paved with 
the two fundamental and complementary tenets of the Israeli nation: 
resilience and faith.``
  The existence of Israel across these six decades--the way it has 
grown and flourished--has provided security and opportunity for its 
citizens. It has strengthened and enhanced Jewish life around the 
world. And it has been a beacon of democracy that makes the entire 
world a safer, more hopeful place.
  I had the honor of traveling to Israel 2 years ago and seeing first-
hand the strength and vitality of the country. I still remember the 
warm welcome I received from the Israeli people, as well as the courage 
and pride they bring to everyday life. I was honored to meet with Prime 
Minister Ariel Sharon just

[[Page 8098]]

a few weeks before his tragic stroke, and I will value forever the 
lessons I learned from our conversation.
  Today, America's and Israel's interests in the Middle East and around 
the world have never been more closely aligned. Our common values and 
objectives continue to drive us to meet the challenges we face, and to 
pursue opportunities for greater peace and prosperity.
  We are in the midst of turbulent times, with. instability threatening 
to spread across the Middle East. But the people of Israel must know 
that wherever forces of intolerance gather to endanger their safety or 
security, the United States will stand beside them in defying and 
defeating these foes.
  By continuing to support Israel, we support stability and democracy 
and we can make further progress toward peace in the region.
  I ask that my colleagues join with me in congratulating and 
celebrating with the people of Israel on the 60th anniversary of the 
founding of their nation, and that we renew our commitment to ensuring 
that we will continue to celebrate each successive anniversary for 
decades to come.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, Israel's first Prime Minister 
David Ben-Gurion, on May 14, 1948, proclaimed the establishment of the 
state of Israel, and 60 years later now, we celebrate this momentous 
time in Israel's history. I congratulate, along with all of the other 
Senators, Israel on its 60th anniversary, and the close relationship 
the United States and Israel have. It serves as an important purpose of 
promoting peace in the Middle East.
  Helping Israel achieve peace with its neighbors while maintaining its 
security strengthens both of our strategic interests. We must do 
everything we can to end the bloodshed and bring the parties together. 
We must resume those positive measures.
  We must, as the Good Book says: Come, let us reason together. Most of 
us out here support two states living side by side in peace and 
security for both. That was outlined by the President in a speech on 
June 24, 6 years ago.
  To achieve that, the Palestinians need to reform their institutions 
and cease those continued terrorist activities against all the 
innocents. Continued engagement by our country is required to help us 
get to that goal of peace in the Middle East. I look forward to the 
continued cooperation of Israel and the United States toward that goal. 
My hearty congratulations to Israel on its 60th anniversary.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the State of Israel 
on the 60th anniversary of its independence.
  The story of the tribes of Judea began, as we know, in the Old 
Testament. The Israelites fled from Pharaoh's slavery, wandering for 40 
years in the desert before coming to their land. It is a familiar 
narrative--and not only to those who study Scripture--for those early 
trials of the Jewish people bespoke an awe-inspiring destiny, both 
glorious and tragic. No other people on earth have survived and 
prospered in the face of so much hardship. The Jewish community has 
been contemporaries of the Assyrians and Babylon, Crusaders and Rome, 
the Hapsburgs and the Soviet Kremlin. They have faced injustice, 
persecution, expropriation, pogroms, and genocide; and they have 
persevered.
  The return of the Jews to the Holy Land is perhaps the greatest 
historical event of our time. The Jewish community emerged from the 
greatest tragedy the Diaspora had ever known, and in its aftermath 
built the greatest triumph. The authors of that triumph encompass the 
whole of the early Israeli community. The great David Ben-Gurion 
declared Israel a state but he could not have without the thousands of 
brave Israelis willing to fight for it. Chaim Weizman secured 
international support for Israel but he could not have without the 
hundreds of thousands of Jews willing to immigrate to the Holy Land. 
And of all these heroes, the famous and the anonymous, none have given 
more than the 22,437 Israeli soldiers who have fallen in battle since 
1860. It is no coincidence in Israel that Independence Day is preceded 
by Remembrance Day, to honor the fallen Zahal warriors. On this 60th 
anniversary of Israel's independence, I know that wherever they are, 
those sons and daughters of Judea are proud indeed.
  I am also proud that America has stood with Israel in her times of 
need. It is only fitting that the two great democratic nations forged 
by immigrants and pioneers be close allies, in the ongoing struggle 
against the forces of fanaticism. For Israel, this fight is as familiar 
as existence; for America, it is an old enemy in a new guise. During my 
time in the Senate, I have worked tirelessly to strengthen the bond 
between our two countries. I believe the bonds our two countries share 
are as everlasting as they are many-layered. Together, they will ensure 
that Israel faces down the next threat, and the one after that, and 
after that, and so on until her 120th anniversary, when I pray there 
will at last be peace.
  The past three have been littered with many enemies, from Titus to 
the Nazis, each with their own dream of destroying the Jews. Some came 
perilously close. But today we know that the destruction of the Second 
Temple, and the Inquisition, and the pogroms, and the Holocaust were 
not in fact the end of the story. The legend did not end. In 1948, the 
new chapter of the tribes of Israel began, always glorious and always 
tragic, animating the pages of history until the final chapter of Man.
  May Israel ever be with us, and us ever by her side.
  Mr. WYDEN. It is a great honor to come to the floor in celebration of 
the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. The 
creation of an independent Israeli State was truly one of the most 
significant events of the 20th century. Following the horrific events 
of the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel symbolized a 
recognition of the right and the need of the Jewish people to have a 
homeland--a place of sanctuary and security after the senseless 
annihilation of 6 million Jews. The Holocaust was not the first or the 
last genocide. It was the culmination of centuries during which Jews 
were ostracized, persecuted, and purged from country after country. The 
Jewish people struggled to maintain their heritage, their traditions, 
and did so in the midst of other cultures, after the fall of Jerusalem 
and enslavement by many other societies.
  For over 2000 years, Jews faced discrimination, including 
restrictions of their rights, religious practices, and even 
professional occupation. Yet even as Jews were able to prosper and 
establish themselves as an integral part of society in Europe, this 
progress was wiped out by the Nazi regime. Thousands upon thousands of 
Jewish families, including my own, were uprooted from their homes and 
forced to flee for their lives for no other reason than the fact that 
they were Jewish. Not all of our family was able to get out. We lost 
family at Krystalnacht. We lost family at Theresienstadt. My family 
came to this country knowing they were coming to the best and freest 
place on Earth. But not all were able to come here. Many European Jews 
were not allowed entry into other countries, including the land that is 
now Israel.
  Upon the conclusion of World War II, the United States joined with 
other countries in the United Nations to recognize the right and need 
of the Jewish people to have the security of being able to live in 
their own state. The United States was, in fact, the very first country 
to recognize the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. After thousands of 
years, Jews had established in their historic homeland a sovereign 
country of their own, Israel. Yet Israel is much more than a sanctuary 
for the Jewish people. Israel's importance transcends the Jewish 
religion. Israel is a place of enormous historic significance. It is a 
sacred land not only for Jews but for Christians and Muslims as well. 
All three of the world's major monotheistic faiths honor Jerusalem and 
other surrounding sites as holy places that hold unique importance to 
the development of their religions. Israel has worked to protect the 
interests and rights not just of Jews but those of all faiths.

[[Page 8099]]

  The Israeli Government provides access to historic and religiously 
significant sites and allows clergy, scholars, historian, 
archeologists, and others to pursue their studies of this very 
historic, very special land. Israel is also of enormous importance to 
our country. Israel is America's strongest and most reliable ally in 
the Middle East. In a region that has been plagued by instability but 
is of enormous strategic significance, Israel is a stable democracy and 
a stalwart ally.
  As a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, I follow these 
issues closely and would say from the Camp David accords to the current 
peace talks, Israel has consistently demonstrated a willingness to work 
along with the United States to engage its neighbors in difficult 
negotiations. Despite constant attacks and threats to its very 
existence, Israel has given up land and made very significant 
conciliatory offers in the interest of achieving lasting peace and 
stability in the Middle East.
  Finally, beyond the religious, historic, cultural, diplomatic, and 
strategic significance, it is important to recognize the impact Israel 
has had at the human level for its citizens and for people around the 
globe. Israel has established a thriving economy, a world-class 
education system, and has advanced scientific and technological 
innovation on numerous fronts. The distinguished Senator from Minnesota 
and I have talked many times about the issue of health care. It is 
striking to see the Israelis in such an innovative, focused kind of way 
look to health care improvements that are going to be of great use, not 
just to the people of Israel but to many around the world. In 60 years, 
Israel has truly established itself as a global leader and a vital 
partner in the international community.
  It is a great honor to be able to stand today on the Senate floor to 
recognize the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. I look forward 
to continuing the close and indispensable partnership between our 
country and Israel. Today I wish the people of Israel the greatest 
success, the greatest happiness, and especially peace for the next 60 
years and beyond.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, a birthday is an occasion that allows a 
family to focus on one of its members and celebrate what is unique and 
special about that person. It is time to reflect on major challenges 
met and major fulfillments achieved. The same is true when we celebrate 
the birth of a nation, or perhaps more appropriately today, its 
rebirth.
  The modern State of Israel is 60 years old today. But the idea of 
Israel was born at the dawn of recorded history. Students of the Bible 
know that Israel was originally a person--the father of 12 children who 
became the Twelve Tribes. Israel became a nation as the progeny of 
those patriarchs grew in population of more than 1 million. And Israel 
has become a revered concept, a union of spiritual ideas that has 
benefited many cultures far from the Middle East.
  That is what our second President, John Adams, meant when he wrote:

       The Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other 
     nation. If I were an atheist and believed blind eternal fate, 
     I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be 
     the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations.

  We in the United States have enjoyed that civilizing influence. Much 
of what we believe and assert in our founding documents was drawn from 
ancient Jewish roots. The belief in individuals having ultimate value 
is because they are made in the likeness and image of God; respect of 
the rule of law as the foundation of a just society, not just the power 
of men; and a commitment to the cause of liberation because the rights 
of the people are an inalienable gift from their Creator.
  So this celebration is not just a milestone for the Jewish people but 
for all humanity. It is a celebration of the perseverance and faith of 
the Jewish people, those who have resisted oppression for thousands of 
years. The story of Israel is a passionate history of the capacity of 
human beings to remain true to ideals, to overcome the longest odds, to 
realize a dream in the midst of those who wish to deny it.
  Over a century ago, Theodore Herzl put into writing his vision for a 
free Jewish state. His immortal words: ``If you will it, it is no 
legend,'' personified the deep faith of the Jewish people and their 
heritage and their role on this planet. Both the United States and 
Israel were founded on the hope and promise of being ``a light unto 
nations,'' and this is a principle that defines us and binds us 
together.
  For this reason, I believe the anniversary of the State of Israel 
encompasses much more than the rebirth of a nation. As a person of 
Jewish heritage and a public servant, this milestone has special 
significance for me. It reminds me not just of the added sense of 
responsibility to work for justice and peace, but of the lesson to 
never give up in my pursuit of those ideals, no matter the size of the 
obstacle.
  But in Israel's existence, there is also a lesson of what we are 
called to pursue. The Jewish people have withstood much persecution 
through the years and endured some of the most horrific crimes against 
humanity that the world has ever seen. It is our responsibility to 
remind the world what humanity is capable of if we do not remain 
vigilant and fight ignorance and injustice wherever it emerges.
  Even today, after 60 years of independence and 7 wars fought to 
preserve it, Israel continues to face grave threats. Iran and its 
regional proxies--Hamas and Hezbollah--continue not only to reject a 
peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, but also to undermine 
the very existence of Israel as a democratic and Jewish State.
  The Iranian President continues to blatantly deny the Holocaust of 
the Jewish people while vowing to create another one. Iran's pursuit of 
a nuclear weapon is very real and must not be allowed to succeed. A 
nuclear Iran would dramatically alter the fragile balance in that 
volatile region and would pose an existential threat to the State of 
Israel.
  In 1948, the United States under President Harry Truman made an 
unconditional commitment to the State of Israel. That commitment was 
not based on the price of gas, economic policy, or partisan politics. 
It was a moral covenant made in response to generations of mistreatment 
of the Jewish people and a desire for them to have a secure homeland 
founded upon democratic principles. We believed then, as we do now, 
that democracy is, in Lincoln's words, ``the last best hope of Earth.'' 
From such a commitment there is no out. To deny our support of Israel 
would be to deny everything America holds sacred and vital. We not only 
have to hold to our commitment, but we must use our influence around 
the world to encourage other nations to move in that direction.
  This commitment dictates that we remain vigilant and watchful over 
these Iranian threats. I expect the United States to lead the way and 
use its influence over other countries that may undermine these 
nonproliferation efforts. For this reason I was very disappointed by 
the administration's insistence in signing a nuclear cooperation 
agreement with Russia. I have written, along with Senator Bayh, a 
letter to the President signed by 32 Senators from both parties in 
which we state that taken together, Russia's opposition to effective 
U.N. sanctions against Iran's nuclear weapons program, its ongoing 
assistance to Iran's ballistic missile programs, its exports of fuel to 
Iran's Bushehr reactor, and its increasingly abrasive foreign policy, 
all give us cause for concern without finalizing such an agreement.
  Submitting a 123 agreement with Russia to Congress at this time could 
severely undermine our policy with respect to Iran at a critical 
juncture. Iran's testing of advanced centrifuges could significantly 
reduce the time it would take to reduce highly enriched uranium for a 
nuclear weapon. We urged the President not to send the agreement to 
Congress until Russia has ended support for Iran's ballistic missile 
program and stopped providing advanced conventional weapons and 
assistance to Iran's nuclear fuel cycle program. Russia must also 
cooperate

[[Page 8100]]

with us to increase meaningful economic pressure on Iran to end its 
defiance of the United Nations Security Council's mandatory resolutions 
to suspend its enrichment of uranium.
  Improving our commercial ties to Russia may be a national interest. 
It may be good economically for the United States and for Russia, but 
preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a national interest 
of greater importance on which we cannot compromise.
  When I reflect on Israel at 60, I am excited about Israel's future, 
despite the ever-present challenges. As David Ben-Gurion said in the 
early days of the modern Israeli nation, ``Around here, if you don't 
believe in miracles, you're not a realist.''
  The Jewish people truly understand this concept, as there are many 
miracles that have come together to preserve the Jewish people 
throughout history, including the one that brought the modern State of 
Israel into existence. The anniversary of this miracle should be a 
joyous one, and the fact that Israel has now stood firm for 60 years 
should be celebrated.
  America should thank God for the heritage of freedom Israel has given 
us. On this day, America should reaffirm its resolve to protect and 
sustain the place and the people who have given us so much. The gift 
Israel needs from us on its birthday is our gratitude, to be sure, but 
also our renewed, unshakable commitment to keeping those ancient dreams 
and ideals that we share alive.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is an honor to come to the floor today to 
celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's 60th Independence Day.
  Today, on its 60th birthday, we recognize that Israel remains an 
island of openness. Its success belongs to all the Israeli people and 
is more lasting than anything that ever happened on a battlefield.
  With politics that are open and vibrant, markets that are free and 
fair, and laws that hold for weak and strong alike, for six decades, 
America has been a good friend to Israel. Indeed, it only took us but 
11 minutes to recognize this new state, this new ally, in May 1948.
  This is a matter imbued with great personal meaning to me, Mr. 
President. As my colleagues are aware, my father, Tom Dodd, spent over 
a year as executive trial counsel in one of the most remarkable court 
cases the world has ever seen--the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war 
criminals. He stood face-to-face with men who committed the most 
terrible atrocities imaginable. Indeed, they were so horrible many were 
convinced they had could not have taken place--that is, until my father 
set out meticulously proving that they had.
  It would have been impossible to be unchanged through that 
confrontation with evil, and my father was no different. I know how 
often he spoke of it to me. And I think it was impossible for anyone to 
go through the Nuremberg Trials without wondering, at some point or 
another:
  What if those 6 million had someplace to go; what if there had been a 
country to take them in--no questions asked; what if there had been a 
nation willing to stand up for them when no one else did?
  Only 2 years after my father came back from Nuremberg, 60 years ago 
today, that nation was born. So in a small way, I share some of my past 
with Israel, because my father had his part in the events that proved--
at the price of tremendous pain--the necessity of a Jewish state. My 
father learned that necessity, and I learned it through him. In the 
years since, nothing has dampened the force of that lesson. How could I 
forget?
  For nearly 60 years America and Israel have been two nations that can 
look across the gulf of history and space and language, and still see, 
in each other, themselves. That enduring bond is what we celebrate 
today, Mr. President.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am pleased today to speak on the 60th 
anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, and to congratulate 
the Israeli people on this historic occasion.
  It is also an appropriate occasion to note the close and unwavering 
friendship our two countries have enjoyed over the past 60 years.
  President Harry Truman formally recognized Israel just 11 minutes 
after the new country's independence proclamation. Eleven minutes. That 
is perhaps the fastest that anything has ever occurred in this city.
  Fast doesn't necessarily mean easy, though, and President Truman was 
under a great deal of pressure, including from his own State 
Department, not to support the creation of a Jewish state.
  But Harry Truman did the right and courageous thing, and for the past 
60 years, Israel has been one of America's closest friends and allies
  That friendship has persevered, in part because of our dedication to 
many common values.
  Israel has a strong and vibrant democratic tradition, and a 
prosperous and innovative free-market economy.
  In fact, Israel's economy grew faster last year than that of the 
United States, Europe, the U.K. or Japan. Such growth stems in part 
from more than 3,000 hi-tech companies now operating in Israel.
  And, I believe, Israel is committed to achieving peace with its 
neighbors. But peace requires security, and the United States still has 
a very important role to play to make both of these a reality.
  The late Congressman Tom Lantos--whom we lost at the beginning of 
this year--understood this perhaps better than anyone.
  As the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the Congress, Tom knew 
what Israel's existence meant for Jews the world over, and no one 
advocated more strongly than he did for continued U.S. support for 
Israel.
  The fact that the Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, spoke at his 
memorial service here in the Capitol speaks not only to Tom Lantos's 
personal commitment to Israel, but also to the broader commitment of 
Israel and the United States to each other as nations and as people.
  It is a commitment that we must not abandon.
  The United States must remain engaged diplomatically to ensure that 
the process begun last fall in Annapolis, the most recent in a string 
of U.S.-led Middle East peace initiatives stretching back over 30 
years, continues to move forward.
  We must work with other countries and the United Nations to prevent 
Iran from gaining the ability to develop nuclear weapons that could 
threaten Israel's security.
  We must provide appropriate assistance to the Palestinian Authority 
to enable it to secure its own territory and strengthen its democratic 
institutions.
  And we must find a way to stop weapons from making their way into the 
Gaza Strip and the hands of those who seek to do Israel harm.
  Such continued U.S. engagement is imperative if there is any hope for 
long-term peace between Israel and its neighbors.
  But hope is the foundation on which Israel was built.
  It is what enabled people of so many backgrounds and languages to 
speak with a common voice.
  It is what enabled them to bring water to a desert and grow crops 
where there had only been sand.
  It is what continues to lead the Israeli people forward, 60 years 
after its founding.
  I share that hope for a brighter future--for Israel, for the United 
States, and for our enduring friendship.
  Congratulations to Israel on its 60th birthday.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am pleased to mark the 60th 
anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel. On this 
momentous occasion, we celebrate a vibrant nation that has thrived 
since its founding in 1948 under the most difficult circumstances. 
Founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust as a home for Jews around the 
world, Israel continues to be a beacon and a rare outpost of freedom 
and democracy in a region that knows too little of either. As we take 
the time to acknowledge the importance of this anniversary, we should 
also remember those who lost their lives in the fighting that coincided 
with the birth of this nation. Few, if any, nations have

[[Page 8101]]

had such difficult births and have overcome such tremendous challenges.
  As we celebrate the anniversary of one of our strongest allies, the 
struggle for peace and stability throughout the Middle East continues. 
Peacemaking in this region is no easy task, but we need to nurture the 
progress developed during the Annapolis Summit and keep working toward 
a two-state solution that resolves the decades of turmoil Israel and 
its neighbors have endured. I am hopeful that through a continuing 
dialogue and diligent efforts, we will see a breakthrough that improves 
trust and cooperation between all actors and provides a framework for a 
lasting peace.
  The United States and Israel have a unique relationship that both 
Americans and Israelis cherish. Today, we should celebrate that 
relationship, which is as strong and deep as ever.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, I join my colleagues in recognizing 
Israel's Independence Day--the day Jewish people around the world 
rejoiced after generations of political and religious persecution. 
Exactly 11 minutes after Israel's first Prime Minister, David-Ben 
Gurion, announced the nation's independence, the United States became 
the first nation in the world to recognize it.
  Since that time, Israel and the United States have forged a 
friendship based on shared ideals and common values--a commitment to 
political and religious freedom, the rule of law, democratic 
governance, and the preservation of individual rights. During my first 
official trip abroad as Senator, I traveled to Israel and saw firsthand 
the sacrifices Israeli people make to protect these principles. This 
visit helped me better understand the urgent need for sustainable peace 
in the Middle East and Israel's vulnerability within the region.
  The United States shares Israel's desire to protect their thriving 
democracy, and we honor our commitment by supporting security efforts 
in Israel. Since 1948, Israel has been a reliable and steadfast ally to 
the United States, and our support helps to ensure the security of its 
territory and citizens. A strong and healthy relationship with Israel 
is critical to the endurance of democracy in the greater Middle East 
and the United States will continue to stand with Israel to ensure its 
survival, peace and prosperity.
  I extend my greetings to all those taking part in celebrations to 
mark this historic week for Israel. In my home State of Florida, the 
home to thousands of individuals of Jewish descent, today is especially 
important. It marks the day a permanent home was established for a 
people who suffered tremendously for generations because of their 
ethnicity and religious beliefs.
  So during this momentous time, I offer the people of Israel and its 
many friends around the world my best wishes and the hope for continued 
prosperity.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the 2000 year search for a Jewish homeland 
concluded on May 14, 1948, with the declaration of an independent State 
of Israel. But, the birth of Israel on that day was far from easy. 
Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion made his first radio broadcast the 
following day from an air raid shelter as the precarious new nation 
came under attack.
  Even as a war was being launched against their young nation, Israel's 
founding father took the time to remind the first citizens of Israel 
what had been accomplished and what it would take to defend their 
dream. Ben-Gurion said, ``whatever we have achieved is the result of 
the efforts of earlier generations no less than our own. It is also the 
result of an unwavering fidelity to our precious heritage, the heritage 
of a small nation that has suffered much, but at the same time has won 
for itself a special place in the history of mankind because of its 
spirit, faith, and vision.''
  The United States has played a critical role in the development of 
Israel over the past 60 years. President Harry S. Truman, the first 
head of state to grant Israel diplomatic recognition, expressed its 
special place in the hearts of Americans as he declared, ``I had faith 
in Israel before it was established, and I have faith in it now. I 
believe it has a glorious future before it--not just another sovereign 
nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.'' 
This special partnership which began with Israel's creation has been 
repeatedly tested since 1948. The United States has been steadfast in 
our commitment to helping the people of Israel develop their own 
economy and secure their own peace. We have helped give them the time 
that their founding fathers knew was needed to secure their future.
  A decade ago, in celebration of Israel's 50th anniversary, I traveled 
there for an international conference of Jewish legislators from around 
the world. In our discussions, I saw then that the philosophy that was 
embraced by Ben-Gurion and other visionary leaders helped Israel become 
a dynamic democracy with a thriving economy. In the decade since that 
conference, Israel has come within a few breaths of a peace agreement 
and also experienced episode after episode of violence carried out 
against its civilians. Still, Israel's faith and fortitude remain as 
strong today as they were when the dream was realized six decades ago.
  In recognition of Israel's remarkable history, I was pleased to be a 
cosponsor of S. Res. 522, which the Senate unanimously passed late last 
month. The resolution acknowledges the 60th anniversary of the founding 
of the State of Israel and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and 
cooperation between the United States and Israel. This is a fitting 
tribute to Israel's past, and we all hope that our nations' mutual 
goodwill augurs well for future positive and peaceful developments in 
Israel, in the Middle East and around the world.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today joining my colleagues in 
congratulating our friends in Israel as they celebrate the 60th 
anniversary of their independence and modern-day founding.
  Sixty years ago, Missouri's own President Harry S. Truman signed the 
telegram making the United States the first Nation on the Earth to 
recognize officially the State of Israel. Since that time, Israel and 
the United States have stood side by side on many issues and have 
shared common bonds and values that unite us still today.
  I daresay that no country has faced such adversity and strife during 
such a short period of time. Our staunchest ally in the region has 
persevered against enemy invasions, random terror attacks, and saber 
rattling throughout its short existence and has grown stronger as a 
result.
  As a Member of this body, I have been proud to support joint U.S. and 
Israeli programs aimed at strengthening our mutual defense and 
cooperation. We are engaged in a war against a common enemy that seeks 
to further its agenda through suicide bombings, the targeting of 
innocents, and the destruction of the civilized world. The United 
States and Israel recognize that without freedom, respect for human 
rights, and liberty, we are lost.
  Today, I congratulate and offer my sincere thanks to the people of 
Israel for being our ally during trying times and a friend upon whom we 
can always count.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, may I inquire what is the business before 
the Senate?

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