Pelosi, Hoyer, Putnam Lead Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Israel

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam are leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding.

"The creation of Israel stands out as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and as a beacon of hope to the world," Speaker Pelosi said. "We pay tribute to the many people, who with pioneering spirits, brave determination, and deep commitment, made the modern state of Israel a reality."

The 13-Member delegation leaves today and will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The group's first stop will be at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

The congressional delegation includes Pelosi, Hoyer, Putnam, Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair John Larson, Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, Rules Committee Ranking Member David Dreier, Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee Chairman Gary Ackerman, Appropriations Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Nita Lowey, Chairman of Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Alcee Hastings, Homeland Security Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee Chair Jane Harman and Foreign Affairs Committee member Ron Klein.

The delegation arrives in Israel on Friday.