CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E995 HON
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June 3, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E995 A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL RICH- colleagues, Speaker of the House NEWT GING- A member of our delegation, Congressman MOND 1998 OAK CREEK CITIZEN RICH and Democratic Leader RICHARD A. GEP- Tom Lantos, a survivor of the Holocaust, first visited Israel in 1956. And this is his OF THE YEAR HARDT, visited Israel to celebrate 50 years of 57th trip to visit Israel. Two key chairmen in friendly relations between the Congress of the our delegation, Bob Livingston and Ben Gil- HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA United States and the State of Israel. man, have coupled their leadership in Con- OF WISCONSIN This was an extraordinary occasion, Mr. gress with a deep understanding and love for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Speaker. The visiting Members of Congress the land and people of Israel. Another mem- Wednesday, June 3, 1998 spent many hours in serious and substantive ber, Congressman Henry Waxman, returns to meetings with the President, the Prime Min- Israel often to visit his daughter, son-in-law Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ister, leading members of the Israeli Cabinet, and grandchildren who live here. honor a truly outstanding resident of my con- The ties that bind America to Israel are and our counterparts who serve in the Israeli greater than the economic and security in- gressional district, Mr. Michael Richmond, Knesset across the whole political spectrum. whose years of dedicated service to his com- terest that our nations share. We are two na- During this visit, Mr. Speaker, significant re- tions grown from a common sourceÐboth munity and his country have been recognized marks were made on a number of occasions forged by the courage and imagination of as he has been named 1998 Oak Creek Citi- by the leaders of the U.S. Congressional dele- pioneers, and both expressing in our found- zen of the Year. gation. Two speeches on two separate occa- ing documents our ultimate reliance on di- Mr. Richmond has made a positive impact sions, however, stand out in my mind as being vine providence. on the lives of hundreds of Oak Creek, Wis- As we celebrate with you, we remember to- particularly important. The first was the ad- gether the courage of David who established consin youth, first as a classroom teacher dress to the Knesset by our Speaker of the from 1974 to 1985, then as Athletic Director Jerusalem 3,000 years ago as the political House NEWT GINGRICH on May 26. The sec- and spiritual capital of the Jewish people. for the Oak Creek-Franklin School District ond was the speech by Democratic Leader We commemorated that event the last time from 1985 to the present. He has worked RICHARD A. GEPHARDT at the Gala Dinner at Marianne and I saw Prime Minister Rabin countless hours coaching boys and girls in the Israeli Knesset Honoring Fifty Years of alive at an event in our Capitol, in the ro- track and cross country, as well as acting as Congressional-Israeli Friendship on the tunda, to celebrate the 3,000th anniversary of the boys swimming and basketball coach. In Jerusalem. Prime Minister Rabin spoke with evening of May 25. deep emotion of his own ties of Jerusalem, 1984, he was named District 7 Cross Country Mr. Speaker, I include these two addresses Coach of the Year. Mike has also served as the city where he was born and the city he to be included in the RECORD, and I urge my fought to defend throughout this life. We in a volunteer coach for a number of basketball colleagues to consider thoughtfully these two Congress stood with him then and stand with camps and tournament teams for the school statements on the importance of the United you today in recognizing Jerusalem as the district. States relationship with Israel as we celebrate united and eternal capital of Israel In addition to the many significant contribu- the 50th anniversary of the founding of the We remember the commitment of the early Zionists who convened the first Zionist con- tions Mike Richmond has made during his ten- modern state of Israel. ure as Oak Creek Athletic Director, he also gress a century ago, lived through the horror served his country for 21 years as a member ADDRESS OF SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF of the Holocaust, and finally witnessed the birth of a Jewish homeland in Eretz Israel. of the 84th Division of the U.S. Army Re- REPRESENTATIVES NEWT GINGRICH TO THE ISRAELI KNESSETÐMAY 26, 1998 We remember the story of the last 50 years, serves, and was named Non-Commissioned Speaker Dan Tichon and Mrs. Tichon, min- of a state that has survived wars and count- Officer of the Year from 1983±1986. Mike's isters and deputy ministers of the govern- less acts of terrorism to maintain its place dedication also extends into the community of ment of Israel, members of the Knesset, among the nations. We remember with you because we believe Oak Creek, where he has been involved in a former Knesset, speaker Shlomo Hillel, that the anniversary of Israel's rebirth is not number of activities, including community run/ former members of the Knesset my congres- just a celebration for Israel alone. It is a sional colleagues, distinguished guests and walks to raise funds for the community center, celebration for all who are inspired by the friendsÐand as I look out, I see friends, and city cleanup activities. faith that was born in this land. It is a cele- many of whom go back for many years. Mr. Richmond is an active member of the bration for all who see in Israel an outpost in It is a great honor to stand before you Oak Creek Education Association, having the struggle for freedom across the globe. today in the Knesset, the one truly demo- And it is a celebration for all who see in the served for 24 years as chairperson of Public cratic parliament in the entire Middle East. fundamental relationship between our two Relations, and is also a member of the Wis- For 50 years, the Knesset has led a nation countries a remarkable history and a great consin Basketball Association, the Wisconsin that has gathered in people from over a 100 hope. Cross Country Coaches Association, the lands, survived the perils of many wars and For we are here to celebrate more than the WADA National Interscholastic Athletic Admin- built a thriving nation out of the desert. first 50 years. In a sense, we're here to cele- istrators Association, and St. James Catholic As we celebrate the remarkable achieve- brate the first 3,000 years. Church. ments of the last 50 years, let me simply say And we're not just here to look ahead with Mike is a caring and devoted educator and ``Kol ha kavod''Ð to you.'' you for the next 50 years. We dream of how Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt and I an excellent role model for Oak Creek youth. weÐand our childrenÐcan build a future have joined with the largest bipartisan gath- that holds more than the hope for mere sur- He is also a devoted family man who has ering of congressmen and senators ever to been married nearly 28 years to his wife, vivalÐa future that can lead to a lasting visit Jerusalem. We are here to celebrate the prosperity, an enduring peace and a truly Judy, and has been blessed with three chil- 50th anniversary of Israel's rebirth as a mod- free land. dren, Chad, Mark and Beth. Please join me in ern state. We commemorate 50 years of a Such a futureÐone marked by peace, pros- honoring Mike for all he has done to help close and cooperative relationship between perity and freedomÐmust be built upon an make the City of Oak Creek such a special our two countries and our two peoples. unending commitment to security for those place to live and work. In a sense, however, we are not only cele- who seek peace. A heartfelt congratulations to Michael Rich- brating the last 50 years. The American and One of our greatest presidents, Ronald Israeli people are bound together by 3,000 Reagan, had a simple strategy to expand mond, 1998 Oak Creek Citizen of the Year! years of a shared and ancient tradition. We freedom across the globe. It came down to f are bound together by a common spiritual three words: peace through strength. He SPEAKER GINGRICH AND DEMO- experience. It is a bond that is felt most pow- knew that strength was the key to security erfully here in this city. As we overlook Je- and that security was essential to peace. He CRATIC LEADER GEPHARDT rusalem, and look at the sights that touched knew that a lasting peace required a durable SHOW BIPARTISAN CONGRES- the lives of Abraham, David and Christ, we security. SIONAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL understand the depth of a relationship that This truth was reinforced for me in a per- ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF is far more than shared geo-political inter- sonal and powerful way during this trip to THE FOUNDING OF THE MODERN est. Israel. On Sunday, we visited the Weizmann STATE OF ISRAEL We are bound together morally. Our two Institute where we met with some of your countries are committed to freedom, democ- most talented scientists to learn about the racy, the rule of law and individual rights. technological breakthroughs that will shape HON. TOM LANTOS We are bound together by pure friendship.