On July 20 I joined 410 of my colleagues in voting “aye” in support of House Resolution 921.  This resolution was introduced to condemn “the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holding terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, supporting Israel 's right to defend itself, and for other purposes.”

Following the recent kidnapping of Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hizballah forces, it is extremely important for the Congress and the American people to speak out for our ally Israel .  The terrorists responsible for these kidnappings should be held accountable for their malicious actions.  I fully support Israel ’s right to defend itself and protect its citizens.  

It is critical that America continue to stand beside and support Israel as they seek to root out those whose sole pursuit is the annihilation of Israel and its people.  I sympathize with the Lebanese people who are suffering as a result of this conflict. Hizballah alone, however, has the ability to stop the suffering on both sides by releasing the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and discontinuing its normal tactics which involve hiding its forces and weapons among civilian population centers.

Israel retaliated for the kidnapping of their soldiers by Hizballah and Hamas and I side with them in their efforts to protect themselves from these state-sponsored terrorist organizations.  I would call upon Iran and Syria to stop supporting these terrorists with money and arms.  To those who call for an immediate cease fire between Israel and Hizballah I ask- how does a nation successfully negotiate a cease fire with a nationless terrorist organization?