[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E823-E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SALUTING THE STATE OF ISRAEL ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the
State of Israel on the 50th Anniversary of its establishment. It is an
honor to salute Israel, our long-standing ally and to remember that the
United States of America was the first nation to recognize officially
the State of Israel fifty years ago.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend several events in the 11th
Congressional District of great significance. One event to commemorate
the 50th Anniversary of Israel was a joint celebration held by three
synagogues in Morristown, New Jersey. The Congregation Ahavath Israel,
the Morristown Jewish Center and Temple B'nai Or held a remarkable
celebration on the grounds of the Vail Mansion which was both cultural
and educational, and it highlighted the ``modern miracle that is
Israel.''
What was of special significance were the number of children present
from Conservative, Orthodox and Reform congregations. It was a
remarkable event that reinforced the need to remember and to never
forget the Holocaust and that the struggle for true peace is never
over.
Another special event was the dedication of the Holocaust Memorial
Garden and Study Center at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston.
Mr. Speaker, the garden is a remarkable place. For some it will be a
place for recollection, for others medication. Most importantly, the
study center and garden is a place to teach the young. Like the
Holocaust Museum in Washington, my hope is that this special Memorial
Garden and Study Center will attract people of all faiths.
Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 21, the House of Representatives
passed a resolution expressing the sense of Congress on the 50th
Anniversary of the State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of
friendship between our two nations. I was pleased to both cosponsor and
vote for this resolution, which recognized the accomplishments of the
Jewish people who helped forge the modern state of Israel, and who make
it the vibrant and dynamic country it is today. Mr. Speaker, I am
including a copy of that important legislation at the end of my remarks
today.
The modern state of Israel is still tied to the ancient Kingdom of
Israel, first established over three thousand years ago. The
recognition of their history, and respect of tradition, has helped
guide Israel's leaders for the past fifty years. David Ben-Gurion, the
founding father and first prime minister of Israel, said in an
broadcast to the Israelis on May 15, 1948, the day after Independence:
Whatever we have achieved is the result of the efforts of
earlier generations no less than our own. It is also the
result of unwavering fidelity to our precious heritage, the
heritage of a small nation that has suffered much, but at the
same time has won for itself a special place in the history
of mankind because of its spirit, faith and vision.
Mr. Speaker, my hope for the future of Israel, for the next fifty
years and beyond, was best stated by Chaim Herzog, the fifth president
of Israel, in his farewell address to the Knesset. To paraphrase him, I
hope that Israel, as a flourishing, cohesive and progressive society,
can continue to climb to the summits and reach the height from which
they may be a beacon to the nations.
Joint Resolution expressing the sense of the Congress on the occasion
of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel
and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the
United States and Israel.
Whereas on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General
Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine,
and through that vote, to create the State of Israel;
Whereas on May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed
the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of
Israel and the United States Government established full
diplomatic relations with Israel;
Whereas the desire of the Jewish people to establish an
independent modern State of Israel is the outgrowth of the
existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel established three
thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem and in the land
of Israel;
Whereas one century ago at the First Zionist Congress on
August 29 to 31, 1897, in Basel, Switzerland, participants
under the leadership of Theodore Herzl affirmed the desire to
reestablish a Jewish homeland in the historic land of Israel;
Whereas the establishment of the modern State of Israel as
a homeland for the Jews followed the slaughter of more than
six million European Jews during the Holocaust;
Whereas since its establishment 50 years ago, the modern
State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and
dynamic society, and created a unique and vital economic,
political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy
cost of six wars, terrorism, international ostracism, and
economic boycotts;
Whereas the people of Israel have established a vibrant and
functioning pluralistic democratic political system including
freedom of speech, a free press, free and fair and open
elections, the rule of law, and other democratic principles
and practices;
Whereas, at great social and financial costs, Israel has
absorbed hundreds of thousands of Jews from countries
throughout the World, many of them refugees from Arab
countries, and fully integrated them into Israeli society;
Whereas for half a century the United States and Israel
have maintained a special
[[Page E824]]
relationship based on mutually shared democratic values,
common strategic interests, and moral bonds of friendship and
mutual respect; and
Whereas the American people have shared an affinity with
the people of Israel and regard Israel as a strong and
trusted ally and an important strategic partner: Now,
therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
United States--
(1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th
anniversary of the reestablishment of the sovereign and
independent modern State of Israel;
(2) commends the people of Israel for their remarkable
achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic
democratic society in the Middle East in the face of
terrorism, hostility and belligerence by many of her
neighbors;
(3) reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which
have existed between the United States and Israel for the
past half-century and which have been significant for both
countries; and
(4) extends the warmest congratulations and best wishes to
the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful and
prosperous and successful future.
____________________