Congressional Record—Senate S1007
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February 12, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1007 Whereas primary prevention programs are moting the free exchange of ideas, and vigor- would argue no bigger Middle Eastern a key part of addressing teen dating vio- ously exercising a form of democratic gov- adversary than the country of Iran. lence, and successful examples of these pro- ernment that is fully representative of its I would also argue that we have no grams include education, community out- citizens; bigger foreign policy challenges than reach, and social marketing campaigns that Whereas nations such as Iran and Syria, as are culturally appropriate; well as designated foreign terrorist organiza- stopping the Iranian drive for nuclear Whereas educating middle school students tions such as Hezbollah and Hamas, refuse to weapons and keeping those weapons and the parents of middle school students recognize Israel’s right to exist, continually out of the hands of terrorists. A nu- about the importance of building healthy re- call for its destruction, and have repeatedly clear Iran would make this world a far lationships and preventing teen dating vio- attacked Israel either directly or through more dangerous place. For starters, it lence is key to deterring dating abuse before proxies; would dramatically increase Iranian le- it begins; Whereas, in particular, the Government of verage, Iranian power, and Iranian ag- Whereas skilled assessment and interven- Iran’s ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons gression in the Middle East. We must tion programs are necessary for young vic- poses a tremendous threat both to the tims and abusers; and United States and Israel; remember that this is the same regime Whereas the establishment of the month of Whereas the negotiations between the so- that has continued to violently target February 2015, as National Teen Dating Vio- called P5+1 countries and Iran over its illicit the United States since 1979. It is the lence Awareness and Prevention Month will nuclear weapons program are entering a key same regime that has been on the benefit schools, communities, and families phase, and Congress has heard the perspec- State Department’s terrorism blacklist regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or tives, both publicly and privately, of a num- since 1984. It is the same regime that sex: Now, therefore, be it ber of close allies involved in the negotia- not too long ago was plotting to blow Resolved, That the Senate— tions; and up a restaurant right here in Wash- (1) designates the month of February 2015, Whereas the United States is committed to as ‘‘National Teen Dating Violence Aware- ensuring that Israel, as a strong and trusted ington, DC. ness and Prevention Month’’; ally, maintains its qualitative military edge: I was reminded that 1983, with the (2) supports communities that are empow- Now, therefore, be it bombing of our Embassy in Beirut—a ering teenagers to develop healthier rela- Resolved, That the Senate— largely forgotten historical moment— tionships throughout their lives; and (1) warmly welcomes the Prime Minister of was the beginning of America’s deadly (3) calls upon the people of the United Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his visit to encounter with the political Islamist States, including young people, parents, the United States, which provides a timely movement. It was also the birth of the schools, law enforcement officials, State and opportunity to reinforce the United States- Shiite political entity we know today local officials, and interested groups to ob- Israel relationship; by the name of Hezbollah, supported by serve National Teen Dating Violence Aware- (2) eagerly awaits the address of Prime Iran. ness and Prevention Month with appropriate Minister Netanyahu before a joint session of programs and activities that promote aware- the United States Congress; Perhaps most poignantly, the Gov- ness and prevention of teen dating violence (3) reaffirms its commitment to stand with ernment of Iran refuses to recognize in their communities. Israel during times of uncertainty; Israel’s right to exist, has continually (4) continues to strongly support Israel’s called for its destruction, and has re- f right to defend itself from threats to its very peatedly attacked Israel either directly SENATE RESOLUTION 76—WEL- survival; and or through proxies. Make no mistake— COMING THE PRIME MINISTER (5) reaffirms its unequivocal and bipartisan Iran’s ongoing pursuit of nuclear weap- OF ISRAEL TO THE UNITED support for the friendship between the people ons poses a tremendous threat to the and Governments of the United States and STATES FOR HIS ADDRESS TO A Israel. United States and to our ally Israel. JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS Given the very clear and present dan- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I want Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. ger to the nation of Israel and the dan- to speak on another matter, and that is gers they face on a perpetual basis INHOFE, Mr. WICKER, Mr. COTTON, Mr. an event that should be a historic and from their neighbors in the region— LEE, Mr. HELLER, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. momentous event that is scheduled to Iran—the U.S.-Israel alliance has never ROUNDS, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. HATCH, Mr. take place on the other side of the Cap- been more important than it is today. MORAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. itol early next month. For the third Israel is a shining model of demo- ROBERTS, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. COLLINS, time since he has been Prime Minister cratic values for nations around the Mrs. FISCHER, Mr. VITTER, Mr. MCCON- of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu will be world. It is a great example for others NELL, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. LANKFORD, speaking to a joint session of Congress. to follow in the Middle East. The Mr. RISCH, Mr. DAINES, Mr. ISAKSON, In his invitation, the Speaker of the strong cultural, religious, and political Mr. COCHRAN, Mrs. CAPITO, Mrs. ERNST, House indicated that the reason for the ties shared by the United States and Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SASSE, invitation is because of the grave Israel have helped form a bond between Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. threats radical Islam and the Iranian our countries that should never be bro- RUBIO, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. CASSIDY, regime pose to our security and our ken. Mr. BURR, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. way of life. I cannot think of a more Now more than ever, the people of HOEVEN, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. SHELBY, Mr. timely or a more critical subject for Israel need reassurance that we remain GARDNER, Mr. PERDUE, Ms. AYOTTE, Mr. the American people to hear about committed to seeing that their nation, COATS, Mr. KIRK, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. from one of the world’s great leaders. as a strong and trusted ally, maintain SCOTT, Mr. ENZI, Mr. PAUL, and Ms. For some reason, some people are its qualitative military edge in the MURKOWSKI) submitted the following trying to turn this into a public con- face of ongoing threats from nations resolution; which was referred to the troversy, but to me and I imagine to such as Iran and Syria and terrorist Committee on Foreign Relations: many others, it is mystifying and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. S. RES. 76 somewhat disappointing. The reasons That is why today we have filed a reso- Whereas, since its founding in 1948, Israel for supporting and defending the na- lution here in the Senate welcoming has been a strong and steadfast ally to the tion of Israel are obvious: Both of our Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin United States in the Middle East, a region countries are pluralistic democracies characterized by instability and violence; Netanyahu when he addresses a joint Whereas the United States-Israel relation- with a staunch commitment to liberty, session of Congress next month. This ship is built on mutual respect for common equality, and human rights; both of our resolution reaffirms the Senate’s com- values, including a commitment to democ- countries are threatened by radical mitment to stand with Israel during racy, the rule of law, individual liberty, free- Islam; and both of our countries have times of uncertainty. It reaffirms this market principles, and ethnic and religious responded to that threat while remain- body’s strong support for Israel’s right diversity; ing free and open societies. Those are to defend itself from threats to its very Whereas the strong cultural, religious, and the reasons why most Americans stand survival. And it reaffirms the Senate’s political ties shared by the United States with Israel and why U.S. aid to Israel and Israel help form a bond between our unequivocal support for the friendship countries that should never be broken; enjoys such overwhelming support between the governments of our two Whereas Israel continues to serve as a among Members of both parties here in nations. shining model of democratic values by regu- Congress. Indeed, we have no closer As of this morning a majority of the larly holding free and fair elections, pro- Middle Eastern ally than Israel and I Senate has signed on as a cosponsor to VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:46 Feb 13, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A12FE6.057 S12FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 12, 2015 this resolution, and this afternoon we poverty rate for employees of color that is 990 career games and received the 1983 United are signing a ‘‘Dear Colleague’’ letter, more than 10 percent higher than such pov- Press International Coach of the Year award; which, as the Presiding Officer knows, erty rate in States that require the same Whereas Jerry Tarkanian’s immeasurable invites all 100 Senators to join in sup- minimum wage for tipped employees as contributions to the game of basketball, port of this resolution.