[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10356]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SALUTING THE STATE OF ISRAEL'S 60TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to wish the 
State of Israel a chag sameach and happy birthday on its 60th 
anniversary of independence.
  Over the past 60 years, Israel has exhibited strong and unparalleled 
growth in every aspect: governmentally, educationally, culturally, 
economically, industrially, and militarily. Today she is as strong as 
she has ever been. The state's population is nine times what it was in 
1948, the year she declared her independence. It is hard to imagine 
that in the earlier part of the 20th century she was nothing but a 
swampy British colony.
  Governmentally, Israel's democracy is alive and well. It is the only 
democracy with free and fair elections in the Middle East. Israel has 
some of the world's top universities and its citizenry is highly 
educated. According to the state's Census Bureau, in 1948, 208 people 
received degrees from the country's two universities; 2 years ago, 
53,000 people received degrees from 62 local colleges and universities. 
Eight Israelis are Nobel Prize laureates.
  Israel's diverse population, which is composed of immigrants from 
countries throughout the world, has contributed to its rich culture of 
arts, music, and literature. Economically, Israel is considered to have 
one of the most advanced economies in Southwest Asia.
  Industrially, Israel has managed to become completely self-sufficient 
despite its lack of natural resources and small size. This has been 
thanks to its groundbreaking technological advances in agriculture and 
its hard-working Zionist pioneers. Militarily, despite the country's 
size, its army is one of the most superior in the world.
  Israel is and will continue to be a key and necessary ally of the 
United States. The cross-Atlantic friendship shared by our countries is 
critical to both our democracies. I recognize Israel's contributions 
toward rooting out terrorism and salute its citizenry for their 
resilience and bravery.
  As the state turns the page and moves into a seventh decade of 
independence, I hope and pray that a future with peace and prosperity 
for all of the people in the region is on the horizon.

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