Mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1751) mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.

As my colleagues are aware, last week the State of Israel faced the worst natural disaster in its history. A forest fire ravaged the Carmel Forest, killing over 40 people, displacing over 17,000 Israelis, and burning 4 million trees. People from all over the world have planted trees in forests throughout Israel to make it greener and make the desert bloom.

This is a tragedy, because of the loss of these forests, that really is something that has to be recognized. But, more importantly, this is a moment that we, as Americans, want to send a message of condolence to the Israeli people for the loss of life, loss of property, and to make an important statement of support and solidarity with our ally and friend, the State of Israel.

Thankfully, over the last day or so, the fire has now been successfully contained, and hopefully it will soon be fully extinguished. With the help of the international community, Israel will now be able to rebuild, and that's why it's important that at this moment in time we recognize the importance of this international effort from countries around the world who offered or provided assistance to fight the fire.

Those countries include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Norway, the Netherlands, the Palestinian Authority, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

We're also proud of our State and local governments in the United States who selflessly mobilized to send firefighting supplies and firefighting experts to Israel. I would like to especially acknowledge the round-the-clock efforts by USAID, Department of Defense, National Security Council, U.S. Fire Services Professionals, as well as our embassy personnel in Tel Aviv, who were in constant contact with their Israeli counterparts offering assistance and support at every juncture.

We must note that time and again Israel sends its supplies and its experts to disasters around the world. It was one of the first countries that provided support to the people of Haiti after the earthquake. And certainly we know in the aftermath of floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and other natural and manmade disasters, Israel offers its expertise. Now Israel knows that it can rely on others as well.

Restoration will be a long-term effort after this fire and will require cooperation on many fronts. I would like to commend the important efforts of the Jewish National Fund which is taking a leading role in the replanting effort as it has operated for decades.

I would like to thank my partner in this bipartisan legislation, Congressman Peter King, the chairman of the Fire Services Caucus, and many others who have cosponsored this piece of legislation. And I would also like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for quickly bringing this resolution to the floor.

Our expeditious consideration allows us to send a message to the people of

Israel: we stand with you in your time of need. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman for his support of this resolution. I think we all understand when it comes to disasters, that we're all in this together--whether it's people of the State of Israel, people in the United States and other countries around the world. And I think certainly after watching Israel over the years come to the aid of other countries in their time of need, it's obviously important on a humanitarian level, logistical level, and a respect level that we can all help the State of Israel in its time of need as well as in this time of this natural disaster. I ask the Members of the House to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on December 2, as my good friend and colleague pointed out, the worst fire in Israel's history erupted in the forests in the northern region of the country. The fire spread quickly, killing over 40 Israelis, displacing over more than 17,000 and destroying more than 250 homes. The fire also burned over 4 million trees and over 12,000 acres of forest, resulting in damages totaling almost $55 million.

After Israel had exhausted its resources to fight the fire, it appealed to the United States and other nations to help, and help we did. U.S. C-130 aircraft from the Department of Defense flying from the U.S. European command at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany delivered 20 tons of fire retardant and 38,000 gallons of fire retardant concentrate.

Furthermore, The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided extensive firefighting supplies, including 27 metric tons of fire retardant and 42 metric tons of firefighting foam.

USAID also dispatched its 10-member disaster assistance response team to Israel, where it's provided technical assistance and discussed lessons learned. And countless individual Americans provided charitable donations to help Israel fight and recover from the fire.

Mr. Speaker, the American people and their government have once again stood with our great friend and ally, Israel, in their time of need, as they have done with us on countless occasions. This is one more example of the rock-solid friendship and alliance between the U.S. and the State of Israel.

Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of the people and the Government of Israel, and thanks to the contributions of the U.S., our State and local governments, and over two dozen other countries, Israel was able to fully contain the fires on December 5. Unfortunately, it will be likely many years for Israel to rehabilitate its damaged forests, which have long been a symbol of Israel and the rebirth of the Jewish State in the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people.

Again, I want to thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. Klein, for this very important resolution for authoring it, and for Mr. King and others for cosponsoring it. It's an excellent resolution. I urge its passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in supporting H. Res. 1751, a resolution mourning the loss of life and extending condolences to the families affected by the fire in northern Israel. Thank you to my colleague, Representative Ron Klein, for offering this resolution.

I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones who have lost their lives in the fires in northern Israel. We stand by Israel during this difficult time and pledge our assistance in the wake of this tragedy.

On December 2, 2010, a massive wildfire broke out in the northern region of Israel, near the city of Haifa. The four day fire ravaged the

Carmel mountain forests, forcing the evacuation of over 17,000 residents. One of the worst forest fires in Israel's history, this inferno claimed as many as 40 lives.

The fire damaged about 5 million trees and 12,000 acres. In a country where only 7 percent of the land is forested, the loss of precious woodland was felt as a national loss. In total, the fire caused about $74 million in damages, including 250 homes.

In response to this tragedy, the United States and the international community stepped in to help Israel battle the flames. The U.S. answered Israel's request for assistance by providing much needed supplies, technical expertise, and equipment.

I applaud the individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations across the United Sates and throughout the international community who have responded to the devastation in Israel with an outpouring of generosity and support.

With help from the United States and our friends worldwide, Israel will overcome this challenge. We pledge our continued support as Israel works to restore damaged communities, replenish wildlife, and plant new forests.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my deepest condolences to all those who lost loved ones to the Carmel wildfires in Israel. Over 40 people died in these devastating fires and approximately 17,000 Israelis were driven from their homes. In addition to the human tragedy, over 12,000 acres of forestland were scorched and nearly 5 million trees were burned in the last six days. I am grateful that the forest fires are now under control and the immediate danger has passed.

I appreciate the Obama Administration's swift response to our ally's call for firefighting assistance. After U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham declared a disaster, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Defense mobilized over 40 metric tons of fire retardant and 3,800 gallons of concentrated fire retardant for immediate transport to the affected areas. To date, the U.S. has contributed more than $1.3 million to the relief efforts in Israel, and I am committed to ensuring that our friend and ally has the necessary resources to recover over the days and weeks ahead. I also want to commend the generous contributions of personnel and firefighting resources from so many of Israel's neighbors, including Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. It is heartening to know that even in a region fraught with conflict and tension, the human desire to assist one another in times of great need transcends political differences.

The celebration of perseverance and hope during this Hanukkah season is a comforting reminder of our ability to overcome great hardship and to look toward the future. I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution of solidarity with the Israeli people, who are foremost in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1751, a resolution expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2nd, 2010.

This was the worst fire in Israel's history-42 people were killed, more than 17,000 have been displaced and over 4 million trees have been destroyed. As we mourn this tragic loss of life, I would like to extend my condolences to the families affected by these fires.

The United States has provided Israel with technical assistance, including 110 metric tons of fire suppressant, 3,800 gallons of fire retardant concentrate and other supplies. An additional 23 nationals provided or offered assistance to Israel as well. It is important to commend the United States and these other nations for providing timely aid to Israel when it was most necessary.

We are grateful that global coordination and rapid response resulted in the speedy extermination of the fire. I would like to once again applaud the response of the United States and others as well as reaffirm the United States' support for the people and State of Israel.

I urge adoption of the resolution.