| Mr. Daniel Eisen Chairman International Coalition for Missing Israeli Soldiers Dear Mr. Eisen : I want to take this opportunity to wish you the utmost success with your upcoming Evening of Conscience Dinner, to be held in Jerusalem on June 4th, 2000. The issue of Israel's missing soldiers is, for obvious reasons, particularly close to my heart, and I wish to commend you and the International Coalition for Missing Israeli Soldiers for your outstanding efforts on behalf of the MIAs and their families. The Coalition should be lauded for leading the lobbying initiative which brought HR 1175 to passage. The passage of this legislation with such broad support in the House and the Senate is testimony both to the determination of the Coalition and to the importance which Congress places on the resolution of this issue. As you know, I have vociferously supported your campaign in Congress, and cosponsored the Senate version of HR 1175. I believe that your efforts on behalf of the MIAs have given an unprecedented and much needed profile to an issue that has not been adequately addressed in our country's attempts to help secure a lasting peace in the Middle East. It has been a source of tremendous satisfaction for me to have been able to contribute, even a little, toward moving this issue forward. I fully concur with missing Israeli airman Ron Arad, who wrote sardonically from captivity that "One should not have to remain in captivity, when there are other alternatives." Please be assured that I remain committed to seeking other avenues and "alternatives" that might further advance this most worthy humanitarian cause, and finally return Zachary Baumel and the other MIAs to their families. |
U.S. Senator