[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5877-5878]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2012

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today in order to 
recognize the sixty-fourth anniversary of Israel's independence. After 
2,000 years the Jewish people regained their independence with the 
establishment of the State of Israel on April 26, 1948.
  Israel was conceived during a dark time for the Jewish people and for 
the world, but because of their steadfast vision and perseverance they 
have become a beacon of prosperity and hope for the entire world to 
follow.
  For sixty-four years the United States and Israel have been 
unwavering partners. We share an unbreakable bond based in mutual 
respect, shared values, and the ideal of equal opportunity for all. Our 
two nations have worked together side by side to promote respect for 
human rights and to ensure a more secure and stable world for all.
  As President Obama has said, and as I have said so many times before, 
the security of Israel is of paramount importance, and our support for 
that security is unbreakable. We should take this occasion to reinforce 
this bond and renew our commitment into the future.
  It is also fitting to take this occasion to focus on the future of a 
lasting peace. As I and my colleagues have repeatedly said, the only 
path to a lasting peace is through direct negotiations between Israel 
and the Palestinians that lead to a two-state solution. We must also 
acknowledge that a lasting peace cannot be achieved while a contingent 
within the Palestinian Government does not recognize Israel's right to 
exist. The State of Israel has existed for sixty-four years and will 
continue to endure. It is time all factions within the Palestinian 
Government acknowledge this so that we can move forward to achieve 
peace for a region that so greatly desires it.
  Mr. Speaker, Israel has much to be proud of today. On this day of 
independence, I congratulate the people of Israel for their 
perseverance and for the hope of a brighter future as our two nations 
continue down a path of prosperity and peace for years to come.

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