"Madam Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.Res. 34. 

The resolution places the blame for the situation in Gaza exactly where it belongs, squarely on the shoulders of Hamas.  It makes clear that Israel has a right to defend itself and that the path to peace in the region lies in the recognition of Israel’s right to exist, the dismantling of Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure and the release of Gilad Shalit. For the last eight years, more than 10,000 missiles have fallen on Israel's civilian population centers, killing 28, injuring more than 700 and traumatizing tens of thousands.

Hamas violates international law by embedding its weapons in civilian centers and using its people as human shields.
Its cynical choice to reap public relations success from the bodies of their own civilians is reprehensible.

These are the irresponsible acts of madmen and cowards, not rulers who can hope to lead a nation. 

I hope that President-elect Obama will be willing to spend political capital in calling upon the international community
to work together to prevent Hamas from rebuilding.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and to take a strong stand against the morally bankrupt actions of Hamas." 

 ###