Moral and strategic interest in strong & secure Israel
The United States has a moral and strategic interest in a strong, secure and viable Israel. The special relationship between the United States and Israel is based on shared values and a commitment to democratic principles. Israel is a democracy and
values human rights, having been created not only out of biblical history, but also out of the worst violation of human rights in recent centuries--the Holocaust. Israel remains the only true democracy in the Middle East; therefore it is in the
critical interest of the United States to strongly support Israel and its people.
The United States must continue to support the defense of Israel, including honoring its foreign aid commitments as set forth in the August 2007 Memorandum of
Understanding on U.S. Military Assistance. Further, our nations must work jointly to eliminate domestic and international terrorism and to stop the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
Resolved long-standing issues between Guam and US government
Guam: I was appointed by President Clinton to be the Special U.S. Negotiator to resolve a series of long-standing issues related to the island territory's relationship to the United States.
Tourism & Travel: Fulfilling the goals of the White House
Conference on Travel and Tourism, I led the Interior Department's efforts to more fully integrate the country's natural, historic and cultural resources into the tourism and recreation sector of the economy.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, www.garamendi.org, "Issues"
, Nov 3, 2009
Protect Congo's national parks while negotiating peace
As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (my wife Patti and I spent our two years fighting smallpox in rural Ethiopia), I formed a new team that is actively engaged in negotiating a peace settlement in the Congo.
The team is bringing people together around an emphasis on environmental protection and the preservation of the nation's five national parks with their incomparable flora and fauna.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, www.garamendi.org, "Issues"
, Nov 3, 2009
Diplomacy should always be our first mission abroad
My perspective on foreign policy has been shaped by these primary principles:
America's moral authority as the world's leader of free nations rests on a devotion to human rights and individual liberty for all citizens of all nations.
Diplomacy should always be our first mission in international relations, and ultimately, is almost always the best way to resolve conflicts abroad.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, www.garamendi.org, "Issues"
, Nov 3, 2009
Commitment to unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond.
Garamendi signed Hoyer-Cantor letter to Secy. Clinton from 327 House members
Dear Secretary Clinton:
We are writing to reaffirm our commitment to the unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel and to express to you our deep concern over recent tension. In every important relationship, there will be occasional misunderstandings and conflicts.
Our valuable bilateral relationship with Israel needs and deserves constant reinforcement. As the Vice-President said during his recent visit to Israel: "Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to security, none. No space."
Steadfast American backing has helped lead to Israeli peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. And American involvement continues to be critical to the effort to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
We recognize that, despite the extraordinary closeness between our country and Israel, there will be differences over issues both large and small. Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits longstanding strategic allies. We hope and expect that, with mutual effort and good faith, the United States and Israel will move beyond this disruption quickly, to the lasting benefit of both nations.
Source: Hoyer-Cantor letter to Secy. Clinton from 327 House members 2010-LT-UB on Mar 25, 2010
