[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 173 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 173

 Recognizing the historic significance of the 55th anniversary of the 
founding of the state of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of friendship 
         and cooperation between the United States and Israel.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 9, 2003

    Mr. Foley (for himself and Mr. Lantos) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the historic significance of the 55th anniversary of the 
founding of the state of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of friendship 
         and cooperation between the United States and Israel.

Whereas at the First Zionist Congress held at Basel, Switzerland, from August 29 
        to 31, 1897, participants under the leadership of Theodore Herzl 
        affirmed their desire to reestablish a Jewish homeland in the historic 
        land of Israel;
Whereas the desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State 
        of Israel is the outgrowth of the existence of the historic Kingdom of 
        Israel that was established over 3,000 years ago in the city of 
        Jerusalem and in the land of Israel;
Whereas, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to 
        partition the British Mandate of Palestine, and through that vote, to 
        create the state of Israel;
Whereas, on May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of 
        the sovereign and independent State of Israel and the United States 
        established full diplomatic relations with Israel;
Whereas President Harry Truman recognized Israel just minutes after it declared 
        independence;
Whereas the establishment of modern Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people 
        followed the extermination of more than six million European Jews during 
        the Holocaust;
Whereas since its establishment 55 years ago, Israel has rebuilt a nation, 
        forged a new and dynamic society, and created a unique and vital 
        economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy 
        costs of six wars, unrelenting terrorism, frequent international 
        ostracism, and economic boycotts;
Whereas the people of Israel have established a vibrant and functioning 
        pluralistic and democratic political system that guarantees the freedoms 
        of speech and of the press, free, fair, and open elections, and respect 
        for the rule of law;
Whereas, at great social and financial cost, Israel has absorbed hundreds of 
        thousands of Jews from countries throughout the world, many of them 
        refugees from Arab countries, and has fully integrated them into Israeli 
        society;
Whereas for over half a century the United States and Israel have maintained a 
        special relationship based on mutually shared democratic values, common 
        strategic interests, and moral bonds of friendship and mutual respect; 
        and
Whereas the people of the United States have an affinity for the people of 
        Israel and regard Israel as a strong and trusted ally and as an 
        important strategic partner: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 55th 
        anniversary of the founding of the sovereign and independent 
        modern state of Israel;
            (2) commends the people of Israel for their remarkable 
        achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic and 
        democratic society in the Middle East in the face of terrorism, 
        hostility, and belligerence by many of its neighbors;
            (3) reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which 
        have existed between the United States and Israel for the past 
        55 years and which have been significant for both countries; 
        and
            (4) extends the warmest congratulations and best wishes to 
        the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, 
        and successful future.
                                 <all>