[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 111 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 111


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 5, 2009

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the 61st anniversary of the independence of the State of 
                                Israel.

Whereas on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence;
Whereas the United States was one of the first nations to recognize Israel, only 
        11 minutes after its creation;
Whereas Israel has provided the opportunity for Jews from all over the world to 
        reestablish their ancient homeland;
Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, 
        and Islam;
Whereas Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the unprecedented horrors 
        of the Holocaust;
Whereas the people of Israel have established a pluralistic democracy which 
        includes the freedoms cherished by the people of the United States, 
        including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of 
        association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the 
        governed;
Whereas Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values by 
        regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free exchange 
        of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a 
        democratic government that is fully representative of its citizens;
Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from terrorist and military attacks 
        repeatedly since independence;
Whereas the rocket attacks that have occurred in Israel in recent years have 
        caused hundreds of casualties and have destroyed homes, schools, 
        buildings, roads, power lines, and other significant infrastructure;
Whereas Israel has signed landmark peace treaties and successfully established 
        peaceful bilateral relations with neighboring Egypt and Jordan;
Whereas despite the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis over the last several 
        years at the hands of murderous, suicide bombers and other terrorists, 
        the people of Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian 
        neighbors;
Whereas Iran, which rejects Israel's right to exist as a nation, is a continued 
        threat to Israel's safety and security, both through its support of 
        terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and through its ongoing 
        efforts to acquire nuclear weapons;
Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on 
        shared democratic values, friendship, and respect;
Whereas the people of the United States share an affinity with the people of 
        Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally;
Whereas Israel has made significant global contributions in the fields of 
        science, medicine, and technology; and
Whereas Israel's Independence Day on the Jewish calendar coincides this year 
        with April 29, 2009: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a 
        significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland 
        for the Jewish people and in establishing a democracy in the 
        Middle East;
            (2) commends the bipartisan commitment of all United States 
        administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 to 
        stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being;
            (3) congratulates the United States and Israel for the 
        strengthening of bilateral relations in recent years in the 
        fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, and 
        encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in 
        resolving future mutual challenges; and
            (4) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the 
        people of Israel as they celebrate the 61st anniversary of 
        Israel's independence.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 4, 2009.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.