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“CONGRATULATIONS TO ISRAEL ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2695-H2696 on April 30, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRATULATIONS TO ISRAEL ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have heard some contentious discussion of our partisan divisions. I rise for a task that I think is far more joyful and one as to which this entire body is united, and that is I rise to congratulate the people of Israel on the 50th anniversary of their rebirth and independence.
Today represents the 50th anniversary of Israel, as determined by the Jewish lunar calendar. And it is with great joy that I point out that House Joint Resolution 102 was adopted by this House 2 days ago by a vote of 402 to nothing, demonstrating the united and bipartisan support that the State of Israel and the close U.S.-Israel relationship enjoyed in this House.
We should reflect that in August of 1897, a century ago, the first Zionist Congress affirmed its aspiration to form a Jewish homeland in the historic State of Israel. After the horrors of the Holocaust, in which one-third of the Jewish population of the world lost their lives, the Jewish people returned to their ancient homeland and established the State of Israel.
Since the Nation's founding, over a million Jews from throughout the world have sought refuge in Israel. Israel has, over the last 50 years, rebuilt a nation, maintained a pluralist democracy, the only one in the Middle East, and based that democracy on freedoms and the rule of law. It has developed a thriving economy and a society, transforming the desert into a land of milk and honey.
On this 50th anniversary we have a chance to reflect on the courage and leadership of President Harry Truman who, against the advice of experts in the State Department, et cetera, stood with the people of Israel and recognized their declaration of independence.
Over the last 50 years, governments of the United States, both Democrat and Republican, have supported the people and the State of Israel. Likewise, governments of Israel, Likud and Labor, have supported the people and the government of the United States. We have a friendship that transcends party; and whichever policies may rule the day in Jerusalem or here in the United States, that bond stands.
We should note that Jerusalem has been the eternal and indivisible capital of Israel, both 3,000 years ago and for the last 50 years. The United States Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act calling for the American Embassy to Israel to be moved to Jerusalem in 1999. What better way for us to celebrate the rebirth of the State of Israel than for the State Department to announce today that they will abide by, rather than seek waivers from, the Jerusalem Embassy Act.
But because the State Department may decide to try to waive that act, I will be introducing, hopefully with substantial support, a bill that states to the Department of State that, before they open a new embassy in another formerly divided city, Berlin, they must open at least a temporary embassy, and, hopefully, a permanent embassy, in the indivisible and eternal capital of Israel: Jerusalem.
I rise today to congratulate the people of Israel on their 50th anniversary of the new State, and I rise today to say that when it comes to America's embassy to Israel: next year in Jerusalem.
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