WASHINGTON, DC -  "I rise today in support of House Resolution 368, congratulating the State of Israel on the election of Ambassador Dan Gillerman as Vice-President of the 60th United Nations General Assembly. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution.

In June 2005, Ambassador Gillerman was elected to serve as the Vice-President of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Incredibly, Ambassador Gillerman is the first Israeli to serve as Vice-President of the General Assembly in the past 53 years. The last Israeli to hold this prestigious post was the legendary Abba Eban, who served as Vice-President in 1952. Ambassador Gillerman is bringing years of notable of experience to this international body which historically has not been supportive of the State of Israel.

Ambassador Gillerman has played a prominent role in helping to steer Israel towards economic liberalization and a free market economy. He has served on the Prime Minister's National Economic and Social Council, the President's Committee of the Coordinating Council of Israel's Economic Organizations, and as Chairman of the Israel-British Business Council, as well as being a member of the executive board of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Most importantly, Ambassador Gillerman has been personally involved in the economic aspects of the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. He has honorably represented Israel during talks with Palestinian and Arab leaders trying to further economic cooperation within the region. I hope that his appointment at the United Nations will lead to further progress on a final peace settlement between Israel and Palestine.

I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ambassador Gillerman and the State of Israel on this historic occasion."