[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8939]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING ISRAEL'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE STRONG TEXAS-ISRAEL 
                              RELATIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2008

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Israel's 60th 
Anniversary and to recognize the strong partnership between my home 
State of Texas and Israel. Israel has made tremendous strides since its 
establishment in 1948--and today it is a strong security and trading 
partner with the United States. Israel's growing business sector has 
benefited the United States as a whole and the State of Texas.
  Because of this growing partnership, the Texas-Israel Chamber of 
Commerce was established in Richardson, Texas. Texas is Israel's third 
largest U.S. trading partner--exporting over $1 billion in goods in 
2007. The State's low taxes, affordability and strategic trade location 
make Texas is a great place for Israeli companies to do business. 
Additionally, Texas's reputation as a leader in telecommunications, 
energy and security technologies make the State very attractive to 
Israel. With the second highest number of companies on NASDAQ and 
strong investment incentives, Israel is equally attractive to U.S. 
investment. Israel boasts an extremely high level of skilled engineers 
and is the world leader in medical device patents.
  Through the State's Department of Agriculture, the Texas-Israel 
Exchange program has encouraged the development of business 
relationships and joint technology research for agriculture and natural 
resources.
  The strong ties Texas shares with Israel are reflective of our 
Nation's valued friendship with the Jewish community. I am grateful for 
the bonds our two countries share and I will continue to work to 
strengthen our relationship for the next generation.

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