Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) made the following statement today honoring Israel’s 67^th Independence Day:

“Every year I am reminded of the extraordinary accomplishments of the young State of Israel. See, our birthdays are just a few days apart. This year we both turn sixty-seven.

“When I think of some of my own milestones I inherently think about Israel.

“We came into the world at the same time, but while I was being cared for by loving parents, Israel was forced to fight for its very survival when it was attacked by surrounding Arab armies immediately after declaring independence in 1948.

“As I entered my college years at Boston University in 1967, Israel retook control of the holiest site in Judaism during the Six Day War, allowing Jews to once again pray in the old city of Jerusalem where they have prayed for thousands of years. 

“During my days as a law student at Georgetown, in the early 1970s, Israel elected an American-raised woman, Golda Meir, to lead the country as Prime Minister – one of the first women to ever lead a nation.

“In March of 1979, following the birth of my son Ben, Israel reached a ground-breaking treaty with Egypt, ceding the entire Sinai – a landmass larger than the current State of Israel – in exchange for recognition and peace.

“In the early 1990's, as a State Legislator, I took my second trip to Israel meeting with many Ethiopian Jews who were among the tens of thousands saved by Israel when they were airlifted to the Democratic Jewish State. 

“While I was back in Florida’s Legislature, Israel reached yet another critical peace agreement, this time with Jordan, demonstrating once again Israel’s enduring commitment to ending conflict.

“I remember facing many challenges in my next role as Mayor of West Palm Beach but none compared to the daily barrage of terror attacks Israelis suffered during the Second Intifada.

“And over the last few years, while I have served in the House of Representatives, Israel has accomplished so much even while faced with the constant threat of rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah terror in Lebanon, spill-over from the war in Syria, attacks from Sinai in Egypt, and the ire of a possible nuclear Iran.

“Since its founding Israel has been at a near perpetual state of war, yet the resilience of Israeli people has allowed the nation to thrive and contribute so much to the community of nations.

“In a tiny country where 60 percent of the land mass is desert, Israelis invented drip irrigation to make the desert bloom with vineyards and vegetable farms. They now share that technology with countries in Africa facing water scarcity where millions more people are being fed by cutting water use over 90 percent.

“Israel also perfected seawater desalination which it is sharing today with California to help them during their drought. In fact, an Israeli company is helping to build what will become the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere just north of San Diego.

“Israel at 67 is a world leader in medicine, technology, defense, and energy. It is a country with whom the United States has partnered since President Harry Truman recognized the nascent state just minutes after its founding. And Israel is a country with whom we continue to partner because it represents freedom, democracy, and progress in a region where tyranny too often reigns.

“As we celebrate more birthdays together in the future, I will do all I can to ensure Israel continues to flourish as a Jewish and democratic state, and that the bond between our two nations never falters.

“Yom Huledet Sameach, happy 67th birthday to our enduring ally Israel.”

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