Se Denver News

On May 19, 2023, Congressman Lamborn's Prepared Remarks during the 2023 Jerusalem Day on Capitol Hill:

What an honor to be here on May 19, It’s great to be with so many supporters of Israel – especially people who are living in Israel and doing the hard work on the ground there. It's such an honor, and tonight I know it’s going to be a great celebration. Thank you all for being here to help celebrate Jerusalem Day, and I once again want to thank the whole Israel Allies Foundation team and the directors for organizing celebration.

This is a significant year for the Israeli community. Last month we celebrated Israel’s 75th anniversary as a country, and this is a momentous occasion that deserves celebration for the whole year, especially during Jewish American Heritage Month.

It’s worth noting the importance of gathering here on Capitol Hill on May 19 to celebrate Israel. Last week, certain fringe elements in Congress made efforts to recognize a holiday that mourns Israel’s founding, but we averted this at the highest levels of the House of Representatives. It did not take place at the House. I thank Speaker Kevin McCarthy and others for their leadership on that. It’s regrettable that the Senate went ahead with this unnecessary event, but most members of the House do celebrate Israel’s existence and founding.

I’d like to mention a few of my own efforts because I’m so excited to be working on pro-Israel initiatives, especially given my position on the House Armed Services Committee. I increased the original funding for Iron Dome back when it was first getting off the ground. I introduced, and it became law, the Taylor Force Act with another representative from Florida, Rep. Gwen Graham. We initiated Tunnel Detection and Defeat funding for the U.S. and Israel to work together. I’ve been working on directed energy, Iron Beam, and getting funding for it. I have an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act that, if it’s successful, will give $50 million dollars a year for the next four years to pursue a joint venture between our two countries artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and directed energy. It’s regrettable that we must spend money on those things, we wish we could take the swords and forge them into plowshares, but until that day arrives, we have to have our common defense.

Tomorrow evening marks the celebration of Jerusalem Day, a holiday I am happy to officially acknowledge the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty starting in 1967. Jerusalem is foundational to so many religions and is particularly cherished by the Jewish people. I have been honored to visit Israel eight times, and the significance of the spiritual capital of Jerusalem for the entire world is brighter than ever. It’s been said that Jerusalem is a crossroads. Jerusalem is the crossroads of East and West, several major religions, and the past and the future. Everything in the world revolves around Israel and Jerusalem in particular. I think all of us know how special Israel and Jerusalem are. That’s why we’re here on May 19 – to celebrate Jerusalem Day and the founding of Israel 75 years ago.

Thank you.

 Original source can be found here.