ASU/MCCCD Land Conveyance Act

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

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before the House today honors the memory of one of the 20th century's most remarkable leaders.

It has now been more than a decade since Yitzhak Rabin was laid to rest. Just 3 weeks ago, it was my great honor to represent the Congress at the official remembrance ceremony for Prime Minister Rabin at his grave on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. It was a deeply emotional event and a spell-binding experience.

Rabin was eulogized by many, but none spoke more eloquently and with more feeling than former President Bill Clinton and our current Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

As is the custom in Israel, I placed rocks on the graves of both Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah, who were friends of mine and my wife, Annette, as well.

I was privileged to attend the opening of the Yitzhak Rabin Center for Israeli Studies housed in Tel Aviv in a building designed by the incredibly talented architect Moshe Safdie. Through exhibits, seminars and scholarship, it will serve as an appropriate and permanent memorial to the late, great Prime Minister.

Many of us in this Chamber remember where we were and what we were doing and the devastation we felt on November 4, 1995, as if the tragedy had happened just moments ago. I was reading a book about Abraham Lincoln, the first American President to be assassinated. I remember telling my wife that despite all their difficulties, troubles and turmoil, the Israelis at least escaped seeing their leaders assassinated; and an hour later, the television reported that Rabin had just been shot to death.

Rabin's life was more majestic than the moment of his murder was horrible, powerful as the memory of that moment is. His life was rich with legendary achievements and, as befits the first native-born Israeli to lead his Nation, his life was also rich with symbolism:

He played a key role in Israel's War of Independence, and he was critical, of course, to Israel's historic success in the Six-Day War. As Ambassador to the United States, he helped lay the groundwork of U.S. support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War. His honest, piercing insights and sometimes gruff style seemed to epitomize a Nation renowned both for brilliance and directness.

In his last years, at times he publicly reflected on the meaning of peace and war and life and death. And, when he did so, he surprised many of us by revealing in a gravelly voice and in incongruously defined tones, a soul seemingly forged by the psalmists and the profits.

His story has been told and retold many times and is familiar to most of us. As a youth, he turned down a British mandate scholarship that would have allowed him to study hydraulic engineering at Berkeley, my alma mater, and perhaps pursue a life of more conventional success. Instead, he anchored his life to serving his people and his homeland. He became a warrior, a strategist, a politician, a diplomat, a statesman, and a peacemaker. He became a general, a chief of staff, an ambassador, a defense minister, and a prime minister.

My wife, Annette, and I were privileged to know him in all of his various roles. We knew him and his wife Leah well, and we loved them dearly. Rabin was already a giant of Israeli history when he initiated the period of intense peacemaking that began with the Oslo agreement. For all his many legendary accomplishments, it is that period that dominates our memory of him, in part because it contrasted so sharply with the military glories of his past and because he was cruelly and tragically forced to exit the scene before he found out if his labors for peace would bear fruit.

President Clinton has said that there undoubtedly would have been peace had Rabin lived. I am not so sure. But we will never know for certain. It is more than possible that Rabin's best efforts would have been thwarted by the devious and malevolent Arafat, just as the best efforts of Rabin's successors were.

But I do know this, Mr. Speaker. Rabin would have signed a final peace agreement only if he were absolutely convinced that it would enhance the security of the democratic State of Israel. The one final peace agreement he did sign, the treaty with Jordan, is today the sturdiest of all Israel's various agreements with Arab States, and Yitzhak was a peacemaker with a spine of steel.

To me, one aspect of Rabin's life stands out above all others. He was a leader. Shimon Peres said it well of Prime Minister Rabin at his funeral, calling him ``a rare leader, capable of uprooting mountains and blazing trails, of designating a goal and achieving it.''

Many qualities contributed to his supreme leadership skills, not least his thorough identification with his people, their aspirations, their anguish, and their sorrows. But his extra dimension, what made him a special leader, a giant among giants, was his remarkable intellect and his capacity for intellectual growth. As he aged, his mind seemed to grow ever more keen and supple. When he signed the agreement with Arafat in 1993, he explained it in part by saying that the Iraqi missiles that rained down on Tel Aviv convinced him that territory alone would not bring security, and that the intifada of 1987 had convinced him that Israel could never forever rule angry and hostile people.

When he embraced peace, Rabin implicitly created an operational paradigm for a two-state solution, subsequently adopted by our own government, a paradigm that remains at the heart of all realistic visions of peace today, a paradigm that has been embraced and elaborated upon by some of his fiercest critics.

Above all, Rabin believed passionately in democracy and its values. In his final speech, at the peace rally in Tel Aviv, and President Clinton and Condoleezza Rice and several of us, several tens of thousands of us attended a similar rally at the same place 3 weeks ago, his final speech indicated that he was aware of foreboding intelligence reports because he warned, and I quote, ``violence undermines the very foundations of democracy. Controversies may arise in democracy, but the decision must be reached through Democratic elections.'' Moments later, he became a martyr to a gunshot.

Today, 10 years after the tragedy, we look at Rabin even with the clear-headedness that was his own hallmark, and we recognize him as one of the towering figures of our lifetime. We miss him, but we are guided by his multiple legacy of courage and wisdom and belief in the unflagging importance of U.S.-Israeli friendship and his intertwined commitment to security and peace.

It is very appropriate that our body honor the memory of one of our great late friends, Mr. Speaker. I strongly support this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my friend from New York for drafting this most important resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 535, which honors Yitzhak Rabin on the 10th anniversary of his assassination. I am honored to be the sponsor of this resolution, and I would like to thank my colleagues on the International Relations Committee for their assistance and support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, as was mentioned by my colleagues, November 4th marked the 10th anniversary of the brutal assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, a warrior turned peacemaker. In a recent national poll, Israelis ranked Rabin's assassination as the third most formative event in the Nation's history, after the 1967 and 1973 wars. Rabin's impact in life was tremendous and his loss to the world is incalculable.

I remember attending his funeral in Israel with many Members of this body and the other body as well, and many leaders, international leaders, and leaders of other nations. Who can forget the moving eulogy by then President Bill Clinton, who, among other things, said about Mr. Rabin, ``shalom chaver,'' which means ``goodbye friend.''

Mr. Speaker, my legislation highlights the legacy of the man. The Hebrew word for the anniversary of a death is Yizkor, which simply means remember. While mourning his loss, we must also celebrate his life.

Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his life to the cause of peace and security for the State of Israel by defending his nation against all threats, including terrorism, and undertaking courageous risks in the pursuit of peace. By adopting this resolution, Congress will honor the life, legacy, and example of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

This resolution expresses our admiration for Mr. Rabin's legacy and recognizes his historic service to the Israeli people, while extending our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and the people of Israel. It also reiterates our continued support for the close ties and special relationship between the United States and Israel and the building of a just and lasting peace between Israel and all of its neighbors.

We also condemn any and all acts of terrorism, including one that happened just the other day in Netanya, and reaffirm unequivocally the sacred principle that democratic leaders and governments must be changed only by the democratically expressed will of the people.

Rabin was the first Sabra, a native-born Israeli, to become prime minister. He was born in Jerusalem and later volunteered for the Palmach, the elite unit of the Haganah, the predecessor of the Israeli Defense Forces. He served for 27 years, including during the 1948 War of Independence, the 1956 Suez War, and as Chief of Staff in the June 1967 Six-Day War. In 1975, Prime Minister Rabin signed the Interim Agreement with Egypt, which lay the groundwork for the 1979 Camp David Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt. He also served as ambassador here in Washington, ambassador to the U.S., from 1968 to 1973, Minister of Defense from 1984 to 1990, and Prime Minister from 1974 to 1977 and from 1992 until his assassination in 1995.

On September 13, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Yitzhak Rabin signed the Declaration of Principles framework agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. I remember it well. I attended with my wife, who was then 7 months pregnant, and it had to be 95 degrees in Washington, but we sat on the White House lawn and watched the historic ceremony because we wanted to be a part of it. Upon signing, Rabin said to the Palestinian people, ``We say to you today in a loud and clear voice, enough of blood and tears. Enough. We harbor no hatred toward you. We have no desire for revenge. We, like you, are people who want to build a home, plant a tree, love, live side-by-side with you, in dignity, empathy, as humans beings, as free men.''

He received the 1994 Nobel Prize For Peace for his vision and bravery as a peacemaker. The following year, as was pointed out, Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan signed a peace treaty between their countries, and we know about the tragic assassination. And as was stated before, his last words were, ``I have always believed that the majority of the people want peace, are prepared to take risks for peace, peace is what the Jewish people aspire to.''

Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, Israel and the world lost a leader of vision and strength. Former Prime Minister Rabin epitomized the essence of the State of Israel, fierce in his defense of his homeland, but always willing to go the extra mile for peace. As we remember him on the tenth anniversary of his death, let us express the hope that Israel and its neighbors will someday experience this peace that he worked so hard to achieve. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 535.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 535) honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death.

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.

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 535, honoring the life, the legacy and the example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing this resolution. I would also like to thank the leadership, along with Chairman

Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos of the House International Relations Committee for helping to bring this important resolution to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, on November 4, 1995, Prime Minister Rabin was tragically assassinated at a peace rally in Kings of Israel Square in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Moments before his death, Rabin said the following to tens of thousands of Israelis: ``Peace entails difficulties, even pain. Israel knows no path devoid of pain. But the path of peace is preferable to the path of war.''

Prime Minister Rabin symbolized the complexities of Israeli society. He fought in the war of independence, which established the State of Israel in 1948, and spent much of his professional life in the battlefield defending the State of Israel militarily.

However, his contributions to the greater battle for Israel's security through a negotiated solution is what the people of Israel, the Palestinians and, indeed, the rest of the world remember most 10 years after he uttered his last words of hope and peace in 1995.

Under Prime Minister Rabin's leadership, Israel signed a Declaration of Principles Framework Agreement with the Palestinians in 1993 and a peace treaty with Jordan a year later.

In 1994, Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, saying the following about making peace with the Palestinians at the time: ``Mistakes could topple the whole structure and bring disaster down upon us despite the toll of murderous terrorism, despite fanatic and scheming enemies. We will pursue the course of peace with determination and fortitude. We will not let up. We will not give in. Peace will triumph over all our enemies, because the alternative is grim for us all.''

Prime Minister Rabin paid the ultimate price for peace; and after his death, his beloved wife, Leah Rabin, carried on her husband's message. After Mrs. Rabin's passing from lung cancer, her daughter Dalia Rabin is leading her father's mission for hope and peace. This resolution is also a testament to their hard work and commitment to the ideals of their father and husband, Yitzhak Rabin.

Thanks to the generosity of so many people, Mr. Rabin's legacy will permanently be commemorated in the State of Israel through the opening of the Yitzhak Rabin Center for Israel Studies.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I also commend my good friend from New York (Mr. Engel) for this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution honoring the life and legacy of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

It has been 10 years, November 4, 1995, since Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a gunman in central Tel Aviv after attending a rally, however, Mr. Rabin's service to the Israeli people and work to promote peace with Israel's neighbors is still present today.

At the age of 19 Mr. Rabin joined the Israeli Army where he served for 27 years, culminating his military career as I.D.F. Chief of Staff. After retiring from I.D.F. service on January 1, 1968, he was appointed Israeli Ambassador to the United States.

Mr. Rabin returned to Jerusalem in early 1973, and became active in the Israel Labor Party. In the December 1973 elections, he was elected to the Knesset, and when Golda Meir formed her government in April 1974, he was appointed Minister of Labor. This government resigned shortly afterwards, and on June 2, 1974, the Knesset voted confidence in a new government headed by Yitzhak Rabin. As Prime Minister, Mr. Rabin placed a special emphasis on improving the economy, solving social problems, and strengthening the I.D.F.

Following the Labor Party's defeat in the May 1977 elections, Mr. Rabin served as a member of Knesset in the opposition, until the formation of the National Unity Government in September 1984. He then served as Minister of Defense in the National Unity Government from September 1984 to March 1990.

From March 15, 1990, to June 23, 1992, Mr. Rabin served again in the Knesset in the opposition. Before the 1992 elections, the Israel Labor Party held its first nationwide primaries. Mr. Rabin was elected chairman of the party in February 1992, and in the June 1992 national elections he was elected Prime Minister.

On September 13, 1993, Mr. Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the Declaration of Principles in Washington, DC, outlining the proposed interim self-government arrangements. The ``GazaJericho First'' agreement, signed in Cairo on May 4, 1994, addressed the implementation of the first stage of the Declaration of Principles. Following the progress in the negotiations with the Palestinians, Mr. Rabin received the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Rabin and value his memory. Mr. Rabin was an extraordinary man, and not enough can be said about his commitment to the Israeli people, his country, and regional peace. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 535 to honor the legacy and life work of Mr. Rabin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this proposed legislation, ``Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death.''

Perhaps no man in Israel's short history as a state has been more influential on the country as Yitzhak Rabin. The story of Rabin's life mirrors the conflicting nature of his county, fiercely wielding the sword of war when necessary in one hand, while extending the olive branch of peace in the other. Few will be considered to have been more dedicated to the peace and security of his country than was Yitzhak Rabin.

As a young man, Rabin's character was hardened by war. He joined the army at 18 years old, before it was named the Israeli Defense Force, before the state of Israel existed. He would serve in the military for 27 years, fighting in the 1948 War of Independence, 1956 Suez War, and, after rising to the rank of Chief of Staff, commanded the Israeli Defense Force in the Six Day War of 1964. Shortly after leading his troops to a stunning, decisive victory in that historical war, Rabin retired from the military to become a diplomat and politician, perhaps suggesting that peace was more effectively sought through diplomacy than through war.

Rabin, who spent a majority of his life as an instrument of war, shifted gears and dedicated the rest of his life to the peace process. Among his major accomplishments were, as Prime Minister, orchestrating the signing of the interim peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, which laid the groundwork for the 1979 Camp David Peace Treaty between the two countries. Fifteen years later, in his second term of service as Prime Minister, he would sign a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. It is remarkable in retrospect that Rabin, who as a young man fought several wars against Egypt and Jordan, would be such an outspoken and instrumental figure in working towards peace with Israel's Arab neighbors.

Yitzhak Rabin's life was prematurely taken from him on November 4, 1995, when he was murdered at a peace rally in King David Square. Many today suggest that if Rabin had never been murdered, his vision of peace for the Middle East may have come to fruition. Despite his great military career, Yitzhak Rabin is remembered as a champion of peace.

I urge my colleagues to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Yitzhak Rabin by

voting for this legislation. A decade has passed since Yitzhak Rabin was murdered; I pray another decade need not pass before his lifelong goal of peace in the Middle East is realized.