[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1391 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1391

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 28, 2010.
Whereas Israel first sent an observer delegation to the Organization for 
        Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1994, and first began 
        actively seeking to join the OECD in 2000, when it met the OECD's 
        membership requirements relating to industrial and per-capita product 
        criteria;
Whereas in May 2006, the OECD adopted in full the Report by the Working Party on 
        the Implications of Future Enlargement on OECD Governance, stating that 
        expanding membership is vital to the organization;
Whereas Israel has been the most active nonmember country in the OECD, is a 
        member, observer, or ad hoc observer in dozens of working bodies, is 
        party to various OECD declarations, and is already in compliance with 
        multiple OECD standards;
Whereas Israel's tax burden, encompassing income and property taxes, customs 
        duties, value-added taxes, and national insurance, is much lower than in 
        most OECD member states;
Whereas the World Bank ranks Israel among the 30 countries in which it is 
        easiest to do business, and ranks Israel as tied for fourth in ease of 
        getting credit and tied for fifth in protection of investors;
Whereas in 2010, the World Economic Forum ranked Israel 27th out of 133 
        countries in its Growth Competitiveness Index, and in particular ranked 
        Israel third in quality of scientific research institutions, fourth in 
        utility patents, fifth in strength of investor protection, fifth in the 
        Forum's legal rights index, seventh in life expectancy, ninth in 
        innovation, 15th in financial market sophistication, 15th in 
        availability of the latest technologies, and 15th in judicial 
        independence;
Whereas the World Economic Forum ranked Israel 28th out of 133 countries in its 
        2009-2010 Networked Readiness Index and 29th out of 121 in its 2009 
        Enabling Trade Index;
Whereas Israel has carried out far-reaching economic reforms in recent years 
        with respect to taxes, labor, competition, capital markets, pension 
        funds, energy, infrastructures, communications, transport, housing, and 
        other fields, growing its private sector and streamlining its public 
        sector;
Whereas Israel is a world leader in science and technology and is home to the 
        most high-technology start-up companies, scientific publications, and 
        research and development spending per capita;
Whereas membership in the OECD will likely strengthen the position of Israel in 
        the global economy and within international financial institutions, 
        solidify Israel's transition from an emerging market to an advanced 
        economy, and encourage increased foreign direct investment in Israel;
Whereas Israel's accession to membership in the OECD will strengthen the OECD 
        because of Israel's high living standards, free and stable markets, and 
        commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom;
Whereas Israel's economic and technological standing will likely benefit OECD 
        member states in innovation, in research and development, and in the 
        science and technology, including high-technology, sectors;
Whereas Israel is a strong ally and friend of the United States and supports the 
        United States in international organizations more consistently than any 
        other country;
Whereas, on November 8, 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted 
        H. Res. 38, and on May 3, 2007, the Senate by unanimous consent adopted 
        S. Res. 188, in support of Israel's accession to membership in the OECD;
Whereas in May 2007, during the annual meeting of the OECD's ministerial 
        council, OECD member states invited Israel to open talks for accession 
        to membership in that organization;
Whereas the Secretary-General of the OECD, Angel Gurria, has supported Israel's 
        candidacy for accession to OECD membership and worked to ensure that 
        Israel's candidacy was not politicized, and was judged by objective 
        economic and democratic standards;
Whereas the United States has supported Israel's candidacy for accession to OECD 
        membership;
Whereas, on May 10, 2010, the 31 OECD member states unanimously agreed to invite 
        Israel to become a member of that organization, with the OECD noting in 
        a statement that ``Israel's scientific and technological policies have 
        produced outstanding outcomes on a world scale.'';
Whereas, on May 10, 2010, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted 
        regarding Israel's accession to OECD membership that ``Israel's 
        accession to the OECD has strategic importance for the process of 
        positioning Israel's economy as a developed and advanced economy, as 
        well as in attracting international investments . . . There is still 
        work to be done. We have done a great deal. We are doing a great deal; 
        and we will do a great deal . . . so that we can be on the list of 
        leading countries, among the 15 most advanced countries in the world. 
        This goal is possible and it won't take us too many years to 
        accomplish.'';
Whereas Israel will be welcomed into the OECD during the annual meeting of that 
        organization's ministerial council on May 27, 2010, and will fully 
        accede to membership once it passes the requisite enacting legislation, 
        a process that is likely to be completed within months; and
Whereas Israel continues to pursue further opportunities to accede to membership 
        or enhance its participation, as the case may be, in international 
        forums: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Israel for its accession to membership in the 
        Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
            (2) commends the 31 nations of the OECD, as well as OECD Secretary-
        General Angel Gurria, for recognizing Israel's economic success as well 
        as its commitment to the principles of democratic government and market 
        economy by unanimously electing Israel to OECD membership;
            (3) recognizes the importance of the strong role played by the 
        United States in Israel's successful bid for accession to membership in 
        the OECD; and
            (4) calls on responsible nations to support efforts by Israel to 
        accede to membership or enhance its participation, as the case may be, 
        in international forums.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.