[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL'S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate 
Israel's 65th Independence Day. Sixty-five years ago, the day before 
the expiration of the British Mandate, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion 
declared the establishment of Israel as the national home for the 
Jewish people. The celebrations taking place today in New York and 
across the country commemorate that inaugural event and underscore the 
special bond between the United States and Israel.
  On November 29, 1947, the United Nations issued resolution 181, which 
approved the Special Committee on Palestine's partition plan 
establishing a Jewish state. On May 14, 1948 (the 5th of Iyar, 5708 
according to the Jewish calendar), the day before the British mandate 
expired, David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of the Establishment of 
the State of Israel in the main hall of what was then the Tel Aviv 
Museum. President Harry S. Truman waited only minutes to issue the 
United States' formal recognition of the Jewish State.
  Today, Israel remains a beacon of hope and democracy in the Middle 
East. Throughout its history, Israel has been a safe haven for Jews 
across the world who have faced persecution and repression. 
Nonetheless, Israelis have yet to know one day without war. Constantly 
under attack, Israel has rightfully defended its citizens while also 
searching for a true partner in peace. Americans strongly identify with 
Israel's historic struggle for independence and continued hope for a 
peaceful future. With shared values and shared ideals, Israel is the 
United States' closest ally in the Middle East. I remain hopeful for a 
long-term peace agreement so that Israel and its neighbors can finally 
know peace.
  Israel draws its strength from the diversity and tenacity of its 
people. Israel has demonstrated that a small country with few natural 
resources, surrounded by hostile nations that deny its right to exist, 
can still thrive, thanks to its smart investments, an entrepreneurial 
culture, and a people determined to succeed.
  Today, Israel is a center of scientific, medical and technological 
innovation, and a leader in agriculture, water purification, 
alternative energy, and public health. Israel has more high tech start 
ups and a larger venture capital industry per capita than any other 
country in the world. In 2010, Israel became a member of the 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), marking 
it as one of the world's most highly developed economies.
  Adversity has challenged Israel to innovate in ways that have 
improved lives across the globe. Lacking potable water, Israel has 
invested in desalination plants that have significantly reduced its 
need to pump water from the Sea of Galilee. Lacking arable land, it 
developed drip irrigation systems that are now being implemented in 
other desert countries. Lacking energy, it has pioneered advances in 
solar and wind energy. Lacking security, it has built some of the most 
effective security products and strategies.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 65th 
Israeli Independence Day. Today we rejoice in Israel's virtues, embrace 
its people, and renew our nation's commitment to standing alongside 
Israel in defense of its right to safety and prosperity. Am Yisrael 
Chai--the people of Israel live!

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