Washington, D.C. - Today Congressman Howard L. Berman (CA-28) issued the following statement on the 62nd anniversary of Israel's Independence.  You can view the statement in the congressional record, or copied below in its entirety.

"Mr. Speaker, since the founding of the State of Israel sixty two years ago, the United States has had no greater friend in the Middle East. The U.S.-Israeli friendship is based on shared democratic values, progress, and our hope for peace between nations. This friendship is buttressed by our nation's unshakeable commitment to Israel's security.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel has spurned the authoritarian model that dominates its region and has built a world-class civilization: a vibrant democracy, a thriving economy, and a culturally and academically rich society.

Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation. Nearly a quarter of the Israeli workforce holds university degrees, ranking Israel third in that category in the industrialized world, after the United States and Holland.  Israel also claims one of the world's highest numbers of books and museums per capita.

Over the last sixty two years Israel has become a global leader in medicine and technology. Israeli medicine and medical equipment is exported world wide. And Israeli technologies are protecting and assisting U.S. military personnel deployed around the globe.

High-tech companies are rushing to get an Israeli presence.  In addition to boasting the highest density of start-ups in the world (a total of 3,850 start-ups, one for every 1,844 Israelis), more Israeli companies are listed on the NASDAQ exchange than all companies from the entire European continent.

Moreover, Israel is leading a green revolution with its high-tech companies and Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees.

The American people--and particularly the United States Congress--have contributed mightily to Israel's sustenance and security over the years. Of that we are justifiably proud.

Still, despite its strength, Israel faces incredible challenges to its existence.  The Islamic-militant group Hamas, which is determined to bring about Israel's destruction, remains in control of the Gaza strip and continues to plot against Israel.  Hamas is actively working to

disrupt the return to peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Hezbollah, which is sustained by Iran and supported by Syria, remains perched on Israel's northern border. As The New York Times recently noted, it is believed that Syria has delivered accurate long-distance Scud missiles to Hezbollah, placing cities deep in Israel's heartland, including Tel Aviv, within range.

Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, a theologically-based state whose President has threatened to ``wipe Israel off the map'', is rapidly developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

In my view, there is no greater threat to Israel, the United States, and the world than the prospect of a nuclear Iran.  For this reason, in the coming weeks the Congress will send President Obama legislation designed to strongly sanction Iran in order to cripple its nuclear

weapons program.  I am proud to be the sponsor of that legislation.

In closing, I congratulate Israel on its 62nd anniversary of independence.  Today we reaffirm our nation's pledge to Israel: that we will stand in solidarity with Israel against all violent assaults on its security and well-being.  Israel's security is America's security, Israel's hopes for peace are America's hopes for peace, and we will always stand side by side."