[Pages H2803-H2804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING GOLAN HEIGHTS AS PART OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

  (Mr. PERRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the United States' 
recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
  Now is a critical and appropriate time for the United States to 
formally recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel. At a time when 
Iran and terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, are using the 
turmoil created by the civil war in Syria to expand their presence in 
the region, it is clear they hope to seize the Golan Heights to then 
launch attacks against Israel.
  Recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights is vital to 
the security interest of the United States and Israel.
  I co-led a letter last December to Secretary Pompeo outlining the 
critical nature of recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan and 
encouraging the administration to do so. This recognition should have 
occurred under several previous administrations, but the strong 
leadership needed was not present.
  I am glad that we finally have a President that is taking the 
necessary steps to foster stability and peace in the Middle East. I 
applaud President Trump and his administration for issuing the 
proclamation recognizing the Golan Heights as part of the State of 
Israel.

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