June 20, 2005 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 13287 of leaving us with no trains at all, we will ex- IN HONOR OF THE 30TH ANNIVER- THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF pand it and improve it so that people begin to SARY OF IRRELEVANT WEEK ISRAELI DISENGAGEMENT ON ride Amtrak in ever increasing numbers. U.S. INTERESTS In addition, the bill reauthorizes Amtrak at a level of $2 billion per year, the same level re- HON. CHRISTOPHER COX HON. DAN BURTON cently passed by the Transportation and Infra- OF CALIFORNIA OF INDIANA structure Committee, which will go a long way IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES towards addressing the $5 billion in back- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, June 20, 2005 logged maintenance on the Northeast Cor- Monday, June 20, 2005 ridor. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the Just as important is what this bill does not Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay death of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, the do. It does not put the burden of paying for tribute to , this year’s 255th Na- emergence of a new Palestinian leadership, trains onto the already over-burdened States. tional Football League draft pick. The final pick and the government of Israel’s proposed dis- It does not cannibalize Amtrak into different of the NFL draft is a position of tremendous engagement from Gaza and parts of the West companies. It does not mandate the elimi- honor in my hometown of Newport Beach, Bank have created a high degree of optimism nation of long-distance routes. And it does not California. For the past 30 years, the NFL Un- in the International Community that we are on harm the essential labor protections that cover derdog has been treated to a week-long cele- the cusp of dramatic new openings in the Mid- rail workers. bration in his honor. This annual tradition of Ir- dle East peace process. As a senior Member of the House Inter- I have heard some people say that rail is relevant Week was founded by my friend Paul national Relations Committee, I have watched the past. An obsolete mode of transportation Salata as an occasion for ‘‘Doing Something the often turbulent goings on in the Middle for a bygone time. I strongly disagree. In fact, Nice For No Reason.’’ Irrelevant Week XXX, East for a few years to say the least, and my I believe that rail could be the mode of the fu- which commences today, will celebrate ‘‘Mr. Ir- experience tells me that our optimism should ture. With rising gas prices and overcrowded relevant’’ Andy Stokes, a from Wil- be tempered by the lessons of the past. In highways and airports, we need alternative liam Penn University in Iowa, who was chosen fact, I believe we should take a very cautious ways to get around. This legislation firmly es- by the as the final pick view of the current round of Israeli Palestinian tablishes a true national commitment to inter- in the 2005 NFL draft. peacemaking, particularly with regard to city rail, and put Amtrak on a path towards Though Andy Stokes may have been the Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the lasting success. final pick for the Patriots, the St. George, Utah West Bank. native will be number one in Newport Beach I have met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Shar- f as we use this occasion to celebrate the NFL on and I know that he is a fine man. I am sure HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE Underdog and to recognize all former ‘‘Mr. he firmly believes that this ‘‘strategic retreat’’ OF SERGEANT ROBERTO Irrelevants’’ from the past three decades. from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in ARIZOLA, JR. Among the highlighted events for Irrelevant the West Bank is the best way to guarantee Week XXX are a welcoming party, grand ban- Israel’s long-term security by allowing Israel to quet, and activities at various Southern Cali- conserve and consolidate military and security HON. HENRY CUELLAR fornia resorts. The fun and games will include resources, reducing opportunities for further OF TEXAS a football game with Mickey and Goofy at friction with the Palestinians, and potentially Disneyland, a tailgate party at Angel Stadium reducing pressure on Israel to negotiate a final IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES before the Angels vs. Dodgers baseball game, peace settlement on unfavorable terms. Per- Monday, June 20, 2005 and a visit to Hollywood Park with other NFL sonally, I will not second guess the Prime Min- alumni for a day of horse racing action. ister’s wisdom; I very much hope that he is Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recog- right. But again, my experience tells me that if This special anniversary Irrelevant Week nize the life and service of Sergeant Roberto you take steps to appease an enemy you only Arizola, Jr., who died serving his country as also serves as an opportunity to pay tribute to give him a green light to put more pressure on part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. its 30 years of service to our community. you. In my opinion, it is imperative and critical Sgt. Arizola died on June 8th, 2005 in Bagh- Though Irrelevant Week is a lighthearted af- to U.S. National Security that we as policy- dad when an improvised explosive device det- fair, over the years it has helped to raise over makers understand the consequences should onated near his vehicle. He was assigned to one million dollars for charities that help youth the Israeli disengagement plan fail to live up to the Army’s 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, in both the academic and athletic arenas. This expectations. 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, of Fort year, at the behest of Newport Beach Fire I was recently presented a copy of an inter- Gordon, Georgia. Roberto was awarded the Chief Tim Riley, who serves on the Irrelevant esting opinion piece by Ambassador Yoram Army Achievement Medal in 2000 for his ex- Week steering committee, Irrelevant Week will Ettinger—former Minister for Congressional Af- traordinary performance in operations ‘‘Joint be sending 15 to 20 children to special camps fairs at Israel’s Embassy in Washington, Israeli Endeavor’’ and ‘‘Joint Guard’’ in Bosnia- designed to lend emotional support and friend- Consul General in Houston, and Director of Herzegovina. ship to child burn survivors. Other bene- Israel’s Government Press Office; and cur- A superb soldier, Sgt. Arizola was an even ficiaries of Irrelevant Week XXX include Costa rently editor of ‘‘Straight from the Jerusalem better friend, husband, and father. Roberto Mesa United and Orangewood Children’s Cloakroom and Boardroom’’ newsletters—re- was kind and loving, possessing a charismatic Home. garding the potential consequences of ceding personality that brought joy to those lucky Irrelevant Week has long been recognized Israeli territory to terrorists. I would like to enough to share in his company. by the NFL, ESPN and others in the sports have the text of this Op-Ed placed into the Sgt. Arizola died a soldier, defending the world because it is a celebration of the under- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD following my state- lives of those unable to defend themselves. dog. Moreover, Irrelevant Week provides an ment. The father of a seven-year-old son, he died so opportunity for sharing community spirit and [May 26, 2005] that other families and other children might providing support for children in need. On be- JERUSALEM CLOAKROOM #178: THE IMPACT OF live. He gave up a safe life in a free country half of the United States House of Represent- DISENGAGEMENT ON U.S. INTERESTS so that others might grow up in safety and atives, I would like to commend Paul Salata (By Yoram Ettinger) freedom. and his family for founding and carrying on the 1. Escalated Terrorism. The morally/stra- Sergeant Roberto Arizola gave his life to tradition of Irrelevant Week for the past 30 tegically justifiable demolition of terror re- years. I also ask my colleagues to join me gimes in Iraq and Afghanistan is incon- protect ordinary people from those who would sistent with the creation/bolstering of a ter- do them harm. He leaves behind him an ex- today in congratulating Andy Stokes on his se- ror regime in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. The ample of extraordinary service and courage. lection as ‘‘Mr. Irrelevant’’ and wishing him the 1994–6 series of disengagement from 85 per- He died a hero, and he deserves the thanks very best for a long and successful career in cent and 40 percent of the territory (and 100 of a grateful nation. the . percent and 95 percent of the population) of

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