[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8145]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ISRAEL

  (Mr. BARROW asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BARROW. Mr. Speaker, in 6 days, on May 14, we observe the 60th 
anniversary of the declaration of the independence of the State of 
Israel. That's also the 60th anniversary, I'm proud to say, of the day 
that the administration of President Harry Truman recognized the State 
of Israel as a free and independent state.
  Throughout the past 60 years, the relationship between the United 
States and Israel has been based on a shared commitment to democratic 
values. Also, for the past 60 years Israel has stood on the front lines 
in confronting those who would use terror against civilian populations 
as a means of bringing about political change.
  Throughout that time, the United States has stood for the political 
independence and the physical security of the State of Israel. But we 
usually find ourselves as being in the rear echelons as standing behind 
Israel more than standing beside Israel. But not any more.
  Ever since 9/11, we in the United States have come to realize that 
we're members of the same club, that we, too, stand on the front lines 
alongside Israel in an ongoing war on terror. We not only belong to the 
same philosophical society, we're also serving in the same outfit.
  As we congratulate Israel on its 60th birthday, we look forward to 
the day when each of us will be able to devote less of our national 
treasures to the vital work of survival and national defense and be 
able, instead, to devote more of our national treasures to more 
profitable enterprises.
  On behalf of my fellow Georgians, I congratulate Israel on this 
milestone, and I pledge my best efforts to making the next 60 years of 
our relationship together years of peace and prosperity.

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