Recognizing the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 392) recognizing the 58th 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 to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

This week, we commemorate Israel's Independence Day. Israel's Independence Day comes just days after the Holocaust Remembrance Day, a date set aside for recalling the victims of the Holocaust and for contemplating what can happen to a civilized people when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign.

Following on the heels of the Holocaust Remembrance Day, the commemoration of Israeli Independence is a salute to and a celebration of Jewish perseverance and endurance, of the strength of character of the Jewish people.

On this day, we honor the great people of Israel, who are in constant struggle to safeguard their nation and ensure their survival amidst military attacks from hostile neighbors and prolonged terrorist campaigns.

Throughout its short history, Israelis have fought against incredible odds to reestablish the birthplace of the Jewish people.

Israel has been in a state of war for 58 years, commencing the moment that Israeli independence was declared by David Ben-Gurion. Yet, even at war, Israel's democracy and its vibrant, diverse and free society have remained strong. As democracies and freedom-loving nations, we stand side by side against oppression, terrorism, hatred and intolerance.

Today, Israel is a strong and prosperous nation. Its economy is thriving, and it has been a world leader in scientific discoveries.

The Israeli government has taken unprecedented steps in the past year to reach a peaceful resolution of their conflict with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon implemented his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Yet Israel still finds itself without a partner for peace, as the Hamas-led PA has shown that they continue to support acts of terrorism against innocent Israeli civilians.

Today, as the State of Israel marks its 58th anniversary, we pay tribute to the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and Israel, and we reiterate our commitment to its security and its stability.

The United States will never waiver. We will never falter in our support for the State of Israel.

We look forward to a date soon when we can celebrate an independent Israeli Jewish State that exists in peace and security and no longer has to fear for its very survival. I hope that all Americans will join us in extending our best wishes and congratulations to the Israeli people and to the Jewish nation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 392, which celebrates the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. Today, we remember and pay tribute to the creation of the democratic State of Israel. It took the United States only eleven minutes after Israel had been declared a state to officially welcome her into the community of nations. For the last 58 years the United States and Israel have built a unique special relationship.

The creation of the State of Israel 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 the State of Israel was formed and from which Israel continues to maintain its vibrant and strong democracy today. We can all learn examples from the struggles that the citizens have endured and the grief they have overcome to remain a democratic outpost in the Middle East.

I am proud to join my colleagues today to reiterate our continued strong support of Israel and her right to defend herself and her people from terrorism, and to focus on the special relationship that exists between our two nations. I have had the pleasure of traveling to Israel on a number of occasions, and these visits have only reinforced my strong conviction that the United States must remain actively engaged in ensuring a peaceful and equitable agreement between the two parties to the current conflict.

Yet, much work remains unfinished. We are all troubled by the recent Palestinian elections that put Hamsa in control of the Palestinian Authority and by the hateful, threatening comments that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made about Israel. This year also brought a transition from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Ehud Olmert, and my thoughts and prayers remain with the Sharon family. This has been a unique year for Israel, full of challenges that were admirably met. As Ben-Gurion used to say, ``in Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.'' I still strongly believe in the dream that has become the wonderful reality of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution celebrating the 58 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 express my personal commitment to Israel at this 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 want to thank my colleagues for offering this important bipartisan resolution recognizing the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. And I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Throughout the last 58 years, Israel--an oasis of freedom in a sea of despair--has been vilified, threatened and attacked by those who seek her destruction. And yet, she has prevailed and prospered--just as she will prevail and prosper today, tomorrow and in the future.

Harry Truman made the United States the first nation to recognize the new State of Israel in 1948, just 11 minutes after its creation.

``I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now,'' said President Truman. ``I believe it has a glorious future before it--not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.''

Israel's security and success is not only a strategic imperative for the United States. It is a moral imperative, as well. Ours is a relationship of shared values and common aspirations, and of principle and conscience.

We are nations of immigrants, safe havens for the oppressed and partners for peace. And, we are united in fighting terrorism.

No people on earth have been subjected to more bigotry and violence than the Jewish people, and no people are more in need of a sovereign, secure homeland to provide safe haven and to protect identity.

I have had the privilege of leading Congressional delegations on tours of Israel twice in the last three years. And, I can say with confidence that the special bond that exists between the United States and Israel is strong, growing stronger and will not break.

Last August, our Congressional delegation saw firsthand the pain caused by Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza--another bold step undertaken in the pursuit of peace and stability.

But more importantly, we saw a people deeply committed to the democratic process and the rule of law. What our Members saw was a reflection of themselves: People who love their country; people who want to live in peace and freedom; and people who want their children to have even greater opportunities.

Today, as our allies in Israel prepare to celebrate their 58th anniversary of independence, let us honor their determination to fulfill the vision of Zionism's founding father, Theodor Herzl, who observed, ``If you will it, it is no dream.''

Through courage and will, Israel was born and the dream of generations was made real--and it will endure.

I want to congratulate the citizens of Israel and the entire Jewish community on this 58th anniversary of Israel's founding.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.

The resolution before the House expresses Members' heartfelt congratulations to the Israeli people in recognition of the 58th anniversary of their independence, which they will celebrate tomorrow. I strongly commend the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), my colleague, for bringing this resolution before the House.

The story of Israel's independence is no less inspirational simply because it is well known. It represents a remarkable triumph of the human spirit.

Today, the day before its Independence Day, Israel memorialized its thousands of fallen soldiers, who themselves silently testify to the sacrifice with which Israel won and has perfected its independence and freedom.

Although Israelis have been relentlessly under attack since their nation's birth, they have succeeded in creating one of the most democratic, prosperous, technologically advanced and humane societies on earth.

Mr. Speaker, Israel celebrates its anniversary this year after having unilaterally withdrawn its troops and settlements from Gaza. This was done under the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and marked only the most recent testimony of Israel's singular willingness to take risks to achieve peace.

Now, a new prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has taken office. He, too, has bold ideas about how to achieve peace. I know him well, and I know he is more than up to the task. We congratulate him on his electoral victory. We look forward to working with him, and we wish him every success in his endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, the establishment of the State of Israel has been a great boon not only for those who live in Israel but for our Nation as well. We treasure Israel as our most loyal ally in the Middle East and as the embodiment of values we cherish.

The United States has played a critical role in supporting Israel's security. It has played that role in a bipartisan fashion. Congress has had a leading responsibility in shaping the structure and content of that support. Our support for Israel is an important contribution to, and a credit to, U.S. foreign policy, and we are proud of that support.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do so.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this legislation, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 392, to honor the 58th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. I would like to congratulate the Israeli people on this significant day, and join them in celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Jewish state.

After nearly 2,000 years without a homeland, Jewish independence was restored with the creation of Israel in 1948. The creation of Israel gave the Jewish people a state in the land where their religion, culture, and history date back over 4,000 years.

In the last 58 years, Israel has faced many struggles: conflicts with its neighbors, terrorism on its borders, and problems with many

in the international community regarding the Palestinian people.

Despite these struggles, Israel has grown from a state of less than a million people in 1948, to a state of over seven million today. The Israeli people have created one of the strongest democracies in the world, renowned for their scientific, technological, medical and agricultural innovations. Their commitment to promoting human rights, to protecting the rule of law, and to open and fair elections is unparallel in the region and is an inspiration to oppressed people around the globe.

Today, 58 years after declaring its independence, Israel and the United States continue to share the common values and ideals of advancing democracy and promoting human rights around the globe. As our strongest ally in fighting terrorism, Israel, a country which has had to fight against terrorism and attacks from its neighbors for its entire existence, continues to play a vital role in promoting American interests.

In return, we must continue to help Israel in its struggle for security by helping reach a lasting peace with its neighbors so that as future generations celebrate this day, they may do so without fear of the violence that has plagued the Jewish state since its independence.

Mr. Speaker, I would again like to congratulate the Israeli people and join them in celebrating the 58th Anniversary of Israel's independence, and look forward to working with them for years to come.