NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL
Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Budget
2266 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
www.house.gov/neal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 7, 2006
CONTACT: William Tranghese (202) 225-5601

NEAL WELCOMES ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER OLMERT
TO WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON - Congressman Richard E. Neal recently welcomed Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert to the U.S. Capitol to address a special Joint Session
of Congress.

"We revere the principles and values represented by your great country, and
grateful for the unwavering support and friendship we have received from the
US Congress, from President Bush and from the American people," Olmert told
Congress.

"The similarities in our economic, social and cultural identities are
obvious, but there's something much deeper and everlasting. The unbreakable
ties between our two nations extend far beyond mutual interests. They are
based on our shared goals and values stemming from the very essence of our
mutual foundations."

"It was a privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of Israel to the United
States Capitol," said Neal. "His remarks underscored the strong and
important relationship that exists between the United States and Israel. I
assured the Prime Minister that the bond between our two nations will
continue well into the future."

Ehud Olmert, 60, became Prime Minister in April 2006. He was elected to the
Knesset in 1973 at the age of 28 and was re-elected seven consecutive times.
From 1993 to 2003, Olmert served as Mayor of Jerusalem, the first member of
the Likud Party to hold the position. He is married and the father of four
children.

(In the photo below, Congressman Neal welcomes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to
the U.S. House of Representatives Chamber where he addressed Congress. At
right is Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee).

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