Tom Lantos: “I rise, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of this resolution. The resolution has several aspects, and I would like to…”

“I rise, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of this resolution. The resolution has several aspects, and I would like to comment briefly on each of these. The resolution in the first place congratulates the Prime Minister-elect of Israel, Mr. Ariel Sharon, who won the most recent election a few days ago with a landslide victory. This Congress has congratulated all previous Prime Ministers of the State of Israel, a fellow democracy; and I know that my colleagues will join the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and me in expressing our congratulations to the newly elected Prime Minister. Our two governments, the government of the United States and the government of Israel, are not only close allies and friends, but we share a deep and abiding commitment to democratic values.”