This past Friday a delegation from the United States House of Representatives visited the Emek Medical Center in Afula, the J'almeh-Jenin Checkpoint and met with area leaders. Connecticut Congressman Christopher Shays, chairman of The Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, headed the four -member congressional delegation.

The congressmen viewed their visit to the Afula-Gilboa region as being important thanks to the close-knit relation between the region and the 13 Southern New England Communities operating within the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program and managed by the program's regional director Eshel Farm.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the delegation was welcomed by its director, Dr. Orna Blondeheim, who presented the honored guests with a presentation describing the hospital's operation in crisis and/or emergency situations.

The congressmen showed special interest in the hospital's operations and preparedness during wartime. They also visited the hospital's Orthopedic Department and met with two IDF soldiers from Afula who were recovering from wounds obtained while fighting deep inside Lebanon.

The Jewish Agency for Israel is a nonprofit funded by communities and donors throughout the world The congressmen were very impressed by the young soldiers and their military experience and concluded their visit by wishing them and their families a full and speedy recovery.

From the hospital, the delegation continued on to the J'almeh-Jenin Checkpoint where they were met by Danny Atar, mayor of the Gilboa Regional Council, senior Border Guard officers and other security officials.While at the checkpoint, the delegation received a security briefing from Danny Atar and a top level Border Guard commander.

The congressmen thanked both the mayor for his excellent hospitality and Eshel Farm who was instrumental in coordinating the delegation's visit with representatives of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv.