Recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Mr. Speaker, let me just say once again that I want to expressly thank the Chair of our committee, Mr. Berman, for his leadership and for his support in bringing this resolution to the floor.

Also, I want to thank our ranking member, Congresswoman Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, for her assistance in making sure that we can have a bipartisan resolution.

Every now and then, I think we ought to talk about peace. You know, that seems not to be a word or a term that we discuss very often on this floor, so we have a chance to just say ``peace'' a few times today.

Thank you, Mr. Berman and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for giving us that chance.

This resolution recognizes the vital role of nongovernmental organizations in peace-building efforts between Israelis and Palestinians, and it encourages them to remain steadfast in their commitment to nonviolence, in their recognition of Israel's right to exist, in their dedication to achieving a two-state solution, and in their work towards building trust and cooperation between the two peoples.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan resolution is strongly endorsed by many organizations and groups that have been long dedicated to the cause of peace, justice and of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. I'd like to mention for a minute the supporters of this resolution:

The Churches for Middle East Peace, which is a coalition of 22 public policy offices of national churches and agencies--Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant--working to realize the vision of a region where two viable states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders; the Alliance for Middle East Peace, which is an alliance of 57 NGOs that are promoting people-to-people coexistence, cooperation and reconciliation between Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs, and Jews in the Middle East; the Israel Policy Forum, which is an independent, nonpartisan organization advocating for sustained American, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and her neighbors and to actively promote the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and the Middle East Policy Advisory Committee, which is a coalition of organizations that my congressional district formed to bring a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Mr. Speaker, in a region that has suffered so much loss and seemingly interminable conflict, these efforts are critically important in addressing the daily struggles and challenges faced by Israelis and Palestinians.

Sixty years ago, the great Senator Hubert Humphrey said that people are the issue of the 20th century. I might add now the well-being of people is the critical issue of the 21st century, and peace is needed for people to flourish.

As the great theologian Saint Augustine reminds us, peace is the necessary condition in which people can be free to work out in their private destiny.

That's why it's fitting and proper to recognize, as my resolution does, the efforts of Israeli and Palestinian individuals and of nongovernmental organizations that have been working, really, for decades to build bridges between the two peoples--to address humanitarian concerns and to further the cause of peace.

Although the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has cost too many innocent lives and though it continues to bring terrible sufferance to both peoples, we can all be thankful that there are many nongovernmental organizations comprised of men and women of goodwill, working to build schools and hospitals, to foster cultural exchanges, to increase commercial ties, economic development, and to promote interreligious dialogue and understanding.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is currently at a critical juncture. Sustained progress toward peace depends on the commitment of individuals and of organizations that choose dialogue, friendship and openness.

So this amendment recognizes the efforts of those unsung heroes and sheroes, and it encourages them to continue their important work.

It also salutes them for their commitment to nonviolence, to the recognition of Israel's right to exist and to their dedication to achieve a two-state solution.

I would like to thank our staff, Mr. Berman. I would like to thank Alan Makovsky and Matthew Zweig of the staff of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I would also like to thank Gregory Berry and Scott Exner on my staff.

This is the spirit in which I hope we can move forward in terms of nongovernmental peace builders and move

toward achieving a just and lasting peace. Let's be cognizant of the fact today that peace is possible.

Thank you, Mr. Berman. Thank you, Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. I thank the committee for the resolution.

The Rebuilding Alliance,

Palo Alto, CA, September 23, 2008.

Dear Representative, I am very proud to support H. Res

1369, a positive and constructive resolution to advance the

cause of peace and justice in Israel and Palestine and I urge

you to vote for it. I am really proud that Representative Lee

was willing to work with us at the Rebuilding Alliance and

the Middle East Policy Advisory Committee to bring this

resolution to the floor.

At its heart, H. Res. 1369 recognizes those people--

Israelis and Palestinians-- who continue to pursue peace and

justice with every breath they take, despite their own

overwhelming personal losses. These are the people who make a

difference in their communities, and it is to them we offer

encouragement. Let me tell you about some of them:

I want Congress to care about the peacemakers in the

Village of Al Aqabah and all those who seek to help them:

Last week, Mayor Haj Sami Sadik came, in his wheelchair, to

Washington DC to meet with Congressional and Senate staff. He

is the mayor of the Palestinian West Bank Village of Al

Aqabah and he came to ask your help to save his kindergarten

and village from demolition. Israeli Architect Shmuel Groag,

a founder of BIMKOM: Planners for Planning Rights, joined

him, along with me, American Donna Baranski-Walker, executive

director of the Rebuilding Alliance, the SF Bay Area

nonprofit that helped the village build their kindergarten

and brought them here to ask Americans to help save it.

I care about Al Aqabah. I care about their kindergarten

with 130 students. The village holds full title to its land,

without question--and they even won an earlier case before

the Israeli High Court of Justice to remove the Israeli

Army's training camp from the village gates. As they were

rebuilding their kindergarten, the Israeli Army issued

demolition orders against the kindergarten, the medical

center, the mosque, and nearly all the homes in the village.

The village held to their belief that justice will prevail as

Mayor Haj Sami Sadik again petitioned the Israeli High Court

of Justice to recognize their village's right to exist. Now

he filed the village's own master plan with the Israeli

Army's Civil Authority and asks the world's help to see the

village's plan approved, and to help his village thrive.

I care about the Rachel Corrie Charity in Rafah, Gaza,

holding their soccer tournament on the land where 2200

Palestinian homes once stood, as a way to build community and

goodwill near a very traumatized refugee camp. The Rebuilding

Alliance brought one of the founders of this group, Khaled

Nasrallah, to the U.S., joining Cindy and Craig Corrie,

parents of the late American Rachel Corrie, in a six-state

speaking tour three years ago. The Rachel Corrie Charity is

being sponsored by the Gaza Community Mental Health

Organization, a Palestinian non-governmental organization

that deeply opposes violence and is itself an outspoken

advocate of freedom, fairness, and democracy--and many

congressional staff met with one of the founders of Gaza

Community Mental Health Programme, Mr. Husam El Nounou, along

with Rebuilding Alliance board member from Jerusalem, Rabbi

Jeremy Milgrom, helping Mr. El Nounou return home when the

Gaza's borders were first blockaded in 2006.

I care about the Free Gaza Movement and the Americans,

Internationals, Israelis, and Palestinians who worked

together to steer their boats through international waters to

break the siege of Gaza last month. My friend and

Representative Lee's constituent, Paul Larudee, was on one of

those boats. It is important to recognize their nonviolent

activism and urge an end to the collective punishment of 1.4

million people in Gaza and speak out against using blockades

and siege as tools of diplomacy.

I care about the Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers who

are part of a group called Combatants for Peace. These are

Israeli former soldiers and Palestinians who have been in

Israeli jails who now pledge not to use violence, but instead

to work together for peace and justice. Their Palestinian

cofounder, Bassam Aramin, lost his daughter Abir to a

soldier's rubber coated bullet. Their Israeli cofounder, Elik

Elhanan, lost his sister when a suicide bomber detonated.

Together they and 500 more like them, choose peace.

Combatants for Peace has launched the Abir's Garden Project

to build playgrounds at Palestinian schools in memory of Abir

Aramin.

These are but four groups working to bring about a real

peace in Israel and Palestine. I look forward to inviting all

the peacemakers in each congressional district to forums with

their Representatives to describe their work for peace in

Israel and Palestine. Honorable Representatives, I hope each

of you will send letters of encouragement to those

Peacemakers in Israel and Palestine who they support.

H.Res 1369 moves beyond condemnation to begin a process of

recognition and encouragement.

I believe that this form of recognition can open doors and

I urge your support. To the peacemakers, may you know that

your work makes a difference. May you continue your efforts

and may the Congress of the United States join you to help

you realize your goals. To the honorable members of the U.S.

House of Representatives, I urge you to vote for H.Res. 1369

and recognize these and many more peacemakers in Israel and

Palestine. Please use your influence to keep them safe, help

them achieve their goals, and press for a negotiated peace

agreement between Israel and Palestine that is viable and

fair to all.

Sincerely,

Donna Baranski-Walker,

Executive Director of the Rebuilding Alliance.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1369) recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Madam 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.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself 3 minutes.

I would like to thank, Madam Speaker, my friend and distinguished colleague, Representative Barbara Lee, for introducing this important resolution to highlight the work done by the NGO community in support of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. In spite of the shaky cease-fire reached between Israel and Hamas on the Gaza Strip, Hamas and other extremist Palestinian groups have neither changed their stated aim, namely, the destruction of the State of Israel, nor given up the use of terrorism and violence as a means to achieve that end.

But while the terrorists of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad continue to threaten innocent civilians and undermine peace efforts, we should recognize the courageous efforts being made by many nongovernmental organizations to do just the opposite, that is, to foster conditions that can lead to peace. Many of these groups work tirelessly and selflessly not only to improve the daily lives of Palestinians but also to effect peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. One example, Seeds of Peace, brings Israeli and Arab youth together for summer retreats that cultivate a culture of understanding and tolerance among tomorrow's leaders.

As this resolution affirms, it shall remain U.S. policy to actively support all those nongovernmental organizations that provide humanitarian assistance, promote democracy, human rights and work towards Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation while unequivocally opposing the use of violence. This resolution lends that encouragement and backing only to those NGOs that explicitly renounce violence, accept Israel's right to exist and support existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

I join the author of this resolution, Congresswoman Lee, in lauding contributions to peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians made by nongovernmental organizations. I hope, and believe and want to believe that this is the way of the future. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we have one speaker, the sponsor of the resolution, and I yield her, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 4 minutes.

I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise is strong support of H. Res. 1369, Recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, which I am a cosponsor of. This bill was introduced by my distinguished colleague from California Congresswoman Barbara Lee. This important legislation encourages countries in the Middle East to find a solution that will ensure long lasting stability, prosperity, and self-sufficiency in their region and affirms the importance of nongovernmental organizations to this process.

general

For decades, the United States and Israel have maintained strong bilateral relations based on a number of factors, including strong domestic U.S. support for Israel; shared strategic goals in the Middle East; shared democratic values; and historic ties dating back to U.S. support of the creation of Israel in 1948. U.S. economic and military aid has been a major component in cementing and reinforcing these ties. Although there have been occasional differences over Israel's settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and Israeli arms sales to China, successive administrations and many lawmakers have long considered Israel to be a reliable partner in the region, and U.S. aid packages for Israel have reflected this sentiment.

However, the elongated years of fighting between Israel and Palestine are indirectly detrimental to the position of our country in the Middle East. The most beneficial solution for the United States, Israel, and Palestine is lasting peace in the holy regions, and as the Congress of the United States we must recognize that nongovernmental organizations can facilitate this process and aid every country involved. The stability of the Middle Eastern region is important the United States, and this resolution will reaffirm our commitment to supporting any steps towards peace in the Israel and Palestine.

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

House Resolution 1369 recognizes the efforts of nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

I would like to thank my good friend from California, the gentlelady, Ms. Barbara Lee, for her hard work in drafting this important resolution. We all want to see peace, stability and security prevail in the Middle East and, indeed, in all regions of conflict. However, that goal remains elusive when leaders act in ways that distort, perpetuate and aggravate otherwise resolvable disputes between nations and peoples. Such leaders make peace impossible by programming their citizens into viewing other nations and other people as wicked, as inhuman, as worthy of hatred and even of death.

Fortunately, the work of nongovernmental organizations and of individuals committed to nonviolence and to Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and as a Democratic state provide a counterweight to the purveyors of this terrible rhetoric. These individuals and NGOs cultivate relationships that oppose violent extremism and hateful propaganda, that promote a culture, instead, of life and that seek peaceful, rational and mutually beneficial solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

So I commend the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee) for its introduction, and I urge the passage of this important resolution.

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, a sincere thank you to Representative Barbara Lee. In this Congress, there is no greater voice for peace than Congresswoman Lee.

I rise today in strong support of this Resolution recognizing non- governmental organizations working to help bring a just and lasting peace to Israelis and Palestinians.

Peace will not be brought about by governments and presidents. Peace will only be achieved when people come together to support a common goal--security and prosperity for all.

More than any conference or summit, the work of local and international NGOs have brought the region closer to a non-violent resolution to the ongoing crisis. Their work is invaluable.

From student exchanges to high-level reconciliation programs, NGOs are irreplaceable in the peace process.

I applaud this Resolution's commitment to peace and nonviolence and urge my colleagues' support today.