House votes to award medal to Israeli president

The House on Monday gave voice vote approval to a measure that would award a Congressional Gold Medal to Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Members depicted the legislation as a way to show that “Congress proclaims its unbreakable bond with Israel,” as the text reads.

{mosads}Peres, 90, has served as president of Israel since 2007. He previously served as prime minister, and was first elected to the Israeli legislature in 1959.

“This award to Shimon Peres is our highest expression of national appreciation,” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), who sponsored the bill with Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.). “It is an expression of America’s resolve to our greatest ally in the world.”

House passage of the measure comes around the same time as the 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

“Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres is a timely and fitting acknowledgement of a man whose influence has touched so many lives in Israel, across the Middle East and around the world,” Kennedy said.

Also on the House agenda for Monday are bills to award Congressional Gold Medals to professional golfer Jack Nicklaus and the so-called “Monuments Men,” among other military figures.