[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10508]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARVIN BELKIN

  (Mrs. SCHMIDT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and celebration of 
the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding and pay tribute to a man who 
contributed greatly to the freedom and democracy enjoyed both by Israel 
and the United States.
  Marvin Belkin enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 to fight in 
World War II, and by the age of 19 he was a bomber captain. Ultimately, 
he flew 51 combat missions over the South Pacific until his plane was 
shot down on New Year's Day in 1945, when he was subsequently taken 
prisoner. He was a prisoner of war until August of 1945 when the 
hostilities with Japan ended.
  In 1947, Marvin answered the call again and volunteered to travel to 
Palestine to help support the formation of the State of Israel. In 
Palestine, Marvin worked to establish the ground school of the Israeli 
Air Force. He remained in Israel through the War of Independence, 
playing an active role in training the new Israeli Air Force pilots. 
Upon returning to the United States in 1949, Marvin was again called 
back into military service as an instructor during the Korean War.
  Marvin Belkin's commitment to Israel and the United States is 
symbolic of the relationship shared by our two nations and his service 
should be commended, for without it, we may not be here today to 
celebrate Israel's independence.
  To all the citizens of Israel, I wish you a great happy birthday. I 
look forward to the continued growth and strengthening of our 
relationship with you, our ally and our friend.

                          ____________________