Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First of all, let me say what an honor and privilege it is to introduce this resolution today with our great chairwoman of our Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, my good friend and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). We have worked together so well and so closely on the Middle East and other things that it is an honor to do this with her again this afternoon.

I also want to commend my colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), for introducing this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Fifty-seven years ago, the State of Israel was established as a sovereign and independent state. Rising from the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel represented not only a refuge for Jews of Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere, but the fulfillment of the age-old dream of the Jewish people for a homeland of their own once again after so many thousands of years.

As you may know, Mr. Speaker, the United States was one of the first nations to recognize Israel only 11 minutes after its creation. The home to many religious sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Israel provides fair and open access for people of all faiths to visit holy places. The people of Israel have established a unique pluralistic democracy. In fact, it is the only true democracy in the Middle East. This includes the rights and liberties cherished by the people of the United States, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the governed.

Today, Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values by regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising through its parliament, the Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of its citizens. Indeed, Israel and the United States have shared traditions and shared values, and democracy is certainly one of them.

Unfortunately, ever since its independence, Israel has repeatedly, time and time again, been forced to defend itself from attacks. Yet even in the face of this adversity, the government of Israel has successfully worked with the neighboring governments of Egypt and Jordan to establish peaceful bilateral relations.

During the summer of 2000, President Clinton tried to broker a permanent end to the conflict, where the Israelis signed and agreed to a very generous and deep concession. Yet Yasar Arafat rejected the deal, walked out and sparked his terror war. Despite the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis at the hands of murderous suicide bombers and other terrorists since then, the people of Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian neighbors.

Regardless, the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on shared democratic principles, friendship, and respect. President Bush has said this many, many times. And, indeed, all Presidents of the United States have worked closely with Israel.

Our people share a true affinity of values and view each other as strong and trusted allies. As an American of Jewish heritage myself, I am proud to speak in favor of H. Con. Res. 149, which recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people.

The resolution also praises American and Israeli efforts to create the conditions for peace in the Middle East, commends the bipartisan commitment of all United States administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being, and extends

warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate their 57th anniversary of Israel's independence.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is now visiting the United States, and wish him a safe and productive visit. In fact, the APAC conference, which has been going on these past few days in Washington, as we speak, is a reminder of the work that needs to be done to continue to solidify and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I commend our colleague from South Carolina, Joe Wilson, for his effort in introducing this is resolution and I am delighted to join him extending the heartfelt congratulations of the Congress and the American people to the Israeli people in recognition of the 57th anniversary of their independence, which they celebrated this month.

Mr. Speaker, Israel is a tiny island of refuge in the midst of a roiling sea of hostile neighbors. Although relentlessly under attack since their nation's birth, the Israeli people have succeeded in creating the only democracy in the Middle East, and one of the most prosperous, technologically advanced, and reliably just societies on earth.

In the 57 years of its independence, Israel has absorbed millions of Jewish immigrants from all around the world, including over a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union in just the past 15 years. This is a remarkable and unprecedented achievement for a country whose population was only 600,000 in 1948. Israel has given immigrants the opportunity to live lives of dignity and equality in a free society-- people who otherwise would have lived, at best, as second- or third- class citizens in the countries they left behind.

An indication of the vibrancy and vitality of Israeli democracy, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that Israel celebrates its anniversary this year as it prepares to resettle civilian settlements and

disengage its military forces from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. This was Prime Minister Sharon's incredibly bold and courageous initiative. It will not be easy to implement, given the determined opposition of a minority of Israelis. But anyone who knows Ariel Sharon has little doubt that the disengagement will happen, just as the Prime Minister intends.

The disengagement from Gaza entails not only political risks for Prime Minister Sharon but also security risks for Israel. It is in our national interest to assist Israel to reduce those risks. The United States stood by Israel when it took courageous steps for peace with Egypt and Jordan, and we will continue to stand by Israel as it undertakes risks in order to make progress toward peace with the Palestinians. The United States is also committed to helping Israel deal with the emerging threats of radical regimes and terrorist organizations in the Middle East.

We must not forget, Mr. Speaker, that progress toward peace has come at a great cost. For the past four and half years, innocent civilians have been murdered by terrorists aiming to destroy the state, and Israelis have been killed only because they were Israelis. By supporting Israel in its struggle for peace, we honor the victims' memory and help to promote better future, both for Israelis and Palestinians and the region.

The establishment of the State of Israel has been a great boon not only for those who live there, but it is of great importance for our nation as well. We treasure Israel as our most loyal ally in the Middle East and as the embodiment of democratic values we cherish. It is no wonder that the United States has played a critical role in supporting Israel's security in a bipartisan fashion. It is a record about which we are justifiably proud and a standard to which we will aspire for years to come.

In recognizing Israeli independence, we reiterate our commitment to ensure the safety and security of the State of Israel for the sake of the Israeli people and for the sake of the American people. The historic ties and friendship between our two democratic states have been a source of great pride for both our nations, and we are committed to maintaining and reinforcing them. As the Israeli people continue to draw inspiration in their struggle for peace and security from their friends and supporters in the United States, the Israeli people should know that Israel has no greater friend and no stronger supporter than the people of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con.Res. 149) recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 149, the concurrent resolution now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 149 marks the 57th anniversary of the State of Israel. Since its birth in 1948, Israel has stood out as a symbol of morality and courage. It has struggled constantly to maintain its independence, surmounting military attacks from hostile neighbors and prolonged terrorist campaigns.

Even while at war, Israel's democracy and its vibrant diverse and free society have stayed strong. Its doors have remained open to victims of persecution and intolerance around the world. It is the nature of the Israeli nation and the character of the Israeli people that have helped form an unbreakable bond between our nations and our people, and we are proud to call Israel our friend and ally.

The United States and Israel have a long history of friendship and cooperation. In 1948, the United States was one of the first nations to recognize Israel, doing so only 11 minutes after its creation. From that point onward, the relationship between our Nation and Israel has continued to grow.

As the first and only true democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a remarkable example to its neighbors. Israel has an active free press that constantly holds up a mirror to the government and its policies. It holds regular, free, and fair elections and has a transparent independent judiciary. Israel is home to a remarkably diverse and multiethnic society that includes Jews of Middle Eastern descent, Arabs, Druze, and immigrant communities from Russia, Ethiopia, India and, indeed, all parts of the world. Israel exemplifies religious tolerance and respect.

The Israeli people have demonstrated over and over again their commitment to peace and to security in the face of terrorist threats. Israel has worked with the neighboring countries of Egypt and Jordan to establish peaceful bilateral relations and has seen those bonds flourish and strengthen through initiatives such as the Qualified Industrial Zones which have brought prosperity and development to all of the participants involved.

Israel has also continued seeking peace with its Palestinian neighbors, despite the relentless onslaught of suicide bombers that brought the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis over the last 4 years.

Even while facing militant threats from its neighbors, Israel has flourished and has given the world great gifts through its literature and art and through its medical, technological, and scientific advances. The bond between our nations and our people has never been stronger.

Accordingly, I wish to extend my best wishes and congratulations to the people of the State of Israel on their 57th Independence Day and strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), the author and the lead sponsor of this concurrent resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 149 which celebrates the 57th anniversary of the independent and democratic State of lsrael. Today we remember and pay tribute to the creation of the State of Israel. The United States took only eleven minutes after Israel had been declared a state to officially welcome her into the community of nations. For the last 47 years the United Stated and Israel built a unique and strong and special relationship.

The creation of the State of lsrael was a bold step in May of 1948. The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, once said that, ``courage is a special kind of knowledge: the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.'' It is from such courage that Israel was formed and it is that that continues to maintain Israel as a vibrant and strong democracy today. We can all learn examples from the struggles that the citizens of Israel have endured and the grief they have overcome to remain a democratic outpost in the Middle East.

Yet, much work remains unfinished. We all remain troubled by the continued violence in the Middle East and we all continue to pray for a peaceful end to the years of violence and terror. The United States and our citizens learned all too well about the effects of terrorism on an early morning in September of 2001. In that one day, the nations of the world rallied to our side, offered aid, and pledged to assist us in any way possible. Yet, sadly, events like that September morning have been frequent occurrences in Israel. This fact can to easily be lost as the continued violence and terror is pushed off the front pages of our news papers and out of the nightly news on TV. That is why it is important now, more than ever, to remember and support our strongest and oldest ally in the Middle East.

I am proud to join with my colleagues today to reiterate our continued strong support of Israel, its right to defend itself and its people from terrorism, and to focus on the special relationship that exists between our two nations. I have had the pleasure to travel to Israel on a number of occasions, and these visits have only reinforced my strong conviction that the United States needs to remain a strong partner of Israel and remain actively engaged in negotiating a peaceful and equitable agreement between the parties to this conflict.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution in celebrating the 47 years of Israel's existence as a beacon of democracy and hope in the Middle East. I also celebrate today the daily courage exhibited by the citizens of Israel and want to express my personal commitment to Israel at this important milestone in its history. I look forward to future anniversaries, and to the day when Israel and her citizens can live in peace without the need for courage against fear.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for yielding me this time, and for her leadership on this issue and her leadership on the Committee on International Relations. It is particularly an honor for me to follow my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel). It is wonderful we can be here together as Members of the House Israel Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 149, which recognizes the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. Since its establishment, Israel has served as a trusted home and safe haven for Jews all over the world. After World War II, Israel welcomed Jews who survived the horrors of the Holocaust.

Mr. Speaker, I have visited firsthand to see the country continue to embrace Jews who are eager to reestablish in their ancient homeland. By regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its parliament, Israel is a shining model of democracy.

The evolution of this great Nation is a true testament to the power of democracy and the resiliency of the people of Israel. Throughout the past 57 years, the relationship between Israel and the United States has continued to strengthen. Israel is a trusted ally of the United States, and our two countries now enjoy a strategic partnership based on shared mutual democratic values, friendship, and respect.

Additionally, I am grateful my home State of South Carolina and my hometown of Charleston were the home of the largest Jewish population in North America at the time of the American Revolution. Its provincial constitution was the first to recognize Judaism to be coequal to Christianity. The first Jew to be elected to public office in North America was in South Carolina. And the first Jewish fatality in the cause of liberty during the American Revolution was a patriot from South Carolina.

The bonds of Israel and South Carolina are strong.

Today's resolution also commends President George W. Bush of the United States and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for continuing to work for peace in the Middle East. Despite the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis at the hands of murderous terrorists, the people of Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian neighbors. Their perseverance and strong spirit will ensure a bright future for their nation and the Middle East.

As we recognize the 57th anniversary of independence, please join me in extending warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will not forget September 11.