| Remarks by Governor Kulongoski |
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| March 8, 2005 |
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AIPAC Community Dinner 2005
Thank you Marilyn for your introduction and for joining with Howard Kohr and his staff in arranging tonight’s community dinner. I also want to acknowledge and thank Consul General David Akov. We had a very good meeting before this dinner – and I look forward to working with him to build closer economic and culture ties between Israel and Oregon.
As many of you know, I was raised in a Catholic orphanage. The nuns didn’t have me study Talmud. But they had plenty of rules that I was expected to know – even though they were never written down and new ones were being added all the time.
Marilyn just gave me a very generous introduction – and mentioned that I’ve served in all three branches of government. But one rule the nuns taught me was: Never let success or kind words go to my head. That still seems like good advice – especially for a politician. But Golda Meir had some advice of her own about how to handle praise. She famously told someone: “Don’t be so modest – you’re not that great!”
I like this story about Golda Meir because it captures the honesty, boldness and self-reliance of Israel. Israel is not a country that can afford to be weak – or appear weak. Israel still has many enemies that wish to do it harm. But Israel is also a country that understands the meaning of friendship. And no nation knows that better than the United States.
For 57 years, Israel has been our strategic partner. And the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has played a critical role in strengthening that partnership. That is why I am so proud to be here today to greet you – and to lend my support to the work of AIPAC.
Several years ago I found out that my fraternal Grandmother from Poland was Jewish. But I stand before you today not just as someone with a newly discovered Jewish background. I am an Oregonian. An American. And a Zionist. I remember the birth of Israel – and I believe deeply that a permanent and secure Jewish homeland is morally right, historically justified, and strategically necessary.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East – and the one Middle East nation whose friendship with the United States is based on shared values. Political parties and leaders may change here – or in Israel. But the ties that bind our two nations together – freedom, democracy, peace, and the rule of law – are unbreakable.
As Marilyn noted, I have been to Israel twice. I’ve seen the beauty of its land. The hard work and faith of its people. And the fairness and independence of its legal system.
The people of Israel are facing difficult and uncertain days. But they are proving – as they did when they signed a peace treaty with Egypt – that they are prepared to negotiate with a serious partner, and make real sacrifices for real peace.
For our part, we must be prepared to support Israel. What Israel needs is our financial, political, diplomatic and moral support. And as our best friend in the Middle East – Israel deserves nothing less.
Israel also needs a strong voice in the halls of Congress and in state capitals to tell its story – and to remind the American people how important Israel is to our own security. That voice belongs to AIPAC. Your work on foreign aid, military cooperation and outreach to millions of Americans is vital to Israel’s survival. AIPAC is consistently viewed as the most effective pro-Israel organization in the United States. That is a tribute to the professionalism of the AIPAC staff – and the dedication of everyone in this room. It is also a tribute to Israel – and the near universal admiration Americans feel for this island of democracy.
So I encourage everyone here to tonight to stand with AIPAC so that AIPAC can continue to stand with Israel. I also want you to know that as Governor, I see Israel as an important economic partner with Oregon, especially in the area of high technology. I pledge to you that I will work to increase trade between our state and Israel.
I do have one small bone to pick with AIPAC: You signed away my good friend and political advisor, Steve Schneider who is here tonight but is working in your Washington office. Steve asked me what I thought of the job offer. I told him: “Fight for the Jews and fight for Israel.”
I said this because I believe that Israel is still a “light unto nations,” whose survival helps assure our own. I miss Steve. But protecting and strengthening Israel is a calling that I share with Steve and each of you. Like the flame over the ark – the light of Israel must be eternal.
Thank you.
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