ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION HONORING ISRAEL SIGNED INTO LAW

Measures Make Permanent New Jersey Israel Commission, Commemorate Israel’s 60th Anniversary

(TRENTON) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law Assembly legislation honoring Israel, including plans to make permanent the New Jersey Israel Commission and to commemorate Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1988 to honor Israel’s 40th anniversary and promote trade, science and technology, tourism and cultural and economic exchanges.

An executive order extended the commission to 2012, but legislation (A-3162) sponsored by Assembly members Gordon Johnson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle (both D-Bergen), Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic) and Cary Rodriguez (D-Hudson) makes it permanent.

“Israel has been a steadfast friend and faithful ally of the United States over the past six decades, all the while showing immense bravery in the face of countless terrorist attacks,” said Johnson.

ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION HONORING ISRAEL APPROVED BY SENATE

Measures Would Make Permanent New Jersey Israel Commission, Commemorate Israel’s 60th Anniversary

(TRENTON) – The Senate today passed Assembly-approved legislation honoring Israel, including plans to make permanent the New Jersey Israel Commission and to commemorate Israel’s 60th anniversary.

ASSEMBLY ADVANCES LEGISLATION HONORING ISRAEL
Measures Would Make Permanent New Jersey Israel Commission,
Commemorate Israel's 60th Anniversary

The Assembly today passed legislation honoring Israel, including plans to make permanent the New Jersey Israel Commission and to commemorate Israel's 60th anniversary.

Barrington – Dale Glading, candidate for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 1st District, joined in celebrating today the sixtieth anniversary of Israel’s founding.

“Israel is one of America’s most dependable friends in the world,” Glading said. “As a beacon of democracy and a stabilizing force in one of the world’s most troubled regions, the Middle East, the story of Israel is an inspirational one.”

“The unique history of Israel and the Jewish people is one that we must never forget,” Glading added. “We must stand resolutely against the enemies of human rights and make clear that we will never again permit a Holocaust on this Earth.”

MALONE: REPORTS ABOUT GOVERNOR BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN STATE BY DEMOCRATS ARE REGRETTABLE

CALLS ON GOVERNOR TO GET LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES AND HOUSES TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE

Assemblyman Joseph Malone today said it is tragic for the taxpayers that the property tax reform process has become so contentious that it was reported today in the Star-Ledger that Governor Corzine does not feel he can leave the state for fear fellow Democrats will try to push through a weaker reform package in his absence.

GOVERNOR CORZINE EXTENDS
NEW JERSEY-ISRAEL COMMISSION THROUGH 2012
TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine has signed Executive Order 49 extending the New Jersey-Israel Commission through January 1, 2012.

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2006
Contact: Andrew Schwab
(973) 249-3665

(PASSAIC) -- Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer today announced he will introduce an Assembly Resolution that condemns the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holds terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, and supports Israel's right to defend itself. Schaer said this measure will lend additional support to a similar resolution, H.RES. 921, introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"New Jersey has and should continue to take a strong stance against any and all acts of terrorism," said Schaer (D-Bergen/Essex/Passaic). "The unprovoked attacks against Israel are reprehensible and signify a disconcerting trend of instability throughout the Middle East region. Israel has a long history of commitment to protecting its civilians, and we must offer our unwavering support in sustaining these efforts."

Schaer said he crafted the resolution in response to the June 25th kidnapping of Israeli Defense Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit in Israeli territory. Shalit is being held hostage in Gaza by a Palestinian terrorist group which includes members of Hamas. Schaer added that on July 12, 2006, operatives of the terrorist group Hezbollah killed three Israeli soldiers and took two others hostage.

"Israel's fight is America's fight," said Larry I. Lerner, President of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations. "We applaud Assemblyman Schaer, and we stand with the Israeli people in their effort to bring about a genuine and sustainable peace in the region, one that will allow all people of good faith to flourish."

The Assemblyman's resolution condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for engaging in armed attacks against Israel on undisputed Israeli territory, for taking hostages, for killing Israeli soldiers, and for continuing to indiscriminately target Israeli civilian populations with their rockets and missiles. Further, the resolution offers condolences to all the families of the innocent victims of the recent violence.

"The unprovoked attacks Israel endured are acts of war," Schaer concluded. "It is imperative we stand together as a state and a nation in condemning this rapid escalation of violence, and calling for peace."

Schaer plans on introducing the measure on Friday.

--30--

Congressional Candidate Leigh-Ann Bellew reacted to the attack by Hezbollah upon Israel by voicing her support for Israel and its actions in defending itself from continued terrorist attacks. She commented that Hezbollah is a terrorist group, is associated with other terrorist organizations, and that terrorist organizations must be stopped from carrying out their terrorist agendas.

The mother of two hopes for a long term solution to the continued conflict in the Middle East; however, she said that the attack by Hezbollah should also be another call to the world that terrorism in any form, and the nations that support terrorism, must be defeated. "Terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, and Hamas, that attack civilian targets, order suicide bombings, or endorsing the murder of innocent people, must be disarmed and dismantled."

She went on to say that "any form of terrorism around the globe must be wiped out."

The Hezbollah attack also provides further support, she noted, to the conclusion that neither appeasement nor negotiations with terrorists are strategies to defeat terrorist organizations or win the war on terror.

She called upon her opponent, Frank Pallone, to condemn the attacks by Hezbollah, voice his support for Israel and its actions in defending itself from terrorism, and reject appeasement and negotiation with terrorists as strategies to win the war on terror. However, she noted "the 18 year incumbent keeps the company of left wing radicals like Cindy Sheehan who has called terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah 'freedom fighters' and has sympathized with the terrorists in Iraq," and that "you can tell a lot about a person from the company they keep."

The Mom on a Mission also added "If Pallone will be photographed with, and voice support for, a radical like Sheehan, he either fails to understand the war we are in and the enemy we face or he agrees with her comments. In either case, why should the people of the Sixth District vote for a man like that?"

Bellew concluded by indicating that the United States must continue to show its support for Israel and stand firm in the war on terror until terrorism around the globe is no more.

Micco For Congress
Proud to Represent America
New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District

IRAQ WAR VETERAN SUPPORTS ISRAEL’S
DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISTS

Rep. Andrews: Israel has Right and Obligation to Defend Itself against Terrorism