[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3993-S3994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      58TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 463, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 463) recognizing the 58th anniversary 
     of the independence of the State of Israel.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I acknowledge three significant days 
of commemoration that fall around this time each year. Today is the 
58th anniversary of David Ben Gurion's declaration of Israel's 
Independence and the end of the British Mandate in Israel. As a Jewish 
American, I am proud to be one of the cosponsors of the concurrent 
resolution the Senate will pass celebrating Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's 
Independence Day.
  Yom Haatzmaut is usually observed on the 5th of the Jewish month 
Iyyar; this year it falls on May 3rd. In Israel, Yom Haatzmaut is 
always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day for fallen 
soldiers. The proximity of the dates is a reminder that Israelis owe 
their independence to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it. 
The official switch from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Haatzmaut is signaled 
when the flag is raised from half staff to the top of the pole in a 
ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem after sundown.
  Last week, the Senate commemorated Yom Hashoa, Holocaust Remembrance 
Day, with S. Res. 445, which I also cosponsored. Yom Hashoa is when the 
Jewish community solemnly remembers the suffering caused by the Nazi 
Holocaust led by Adolph Hitler during World War II. During the 
Holocaust, over six million Jews perished, along with Gypsies, 
homosexuals, and other victims of Nazi genocide.
  Yom Hashoa is observed every year on the 27th of Nisan in the Jewish 
calendar, a week after the seventh day of Passover, and a week before 
Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut. Yom Hashoa became a national holiday 
in the State of Israel in 1959. Each year, throughout the streets of 
Israel, the sound of sirens on Yom Hashoa stops traffic and pedestrians 
for 2 minutes of silent devotion.
  Mr. President, I am pleased that the U.S. Senate is adopting these 
important measures.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 463) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 463

       Whereas, on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was 
     established as a sovereign and independent country;
       Whereas the United States was 1 of the first countries to 
     recognize Israel, only 11 minutes after its creation;
       Whereas Israel has provided Jews from all over the world 
     with an opportunity to reestablish their ancient homeland;
       Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites that are 
     sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;
       Whereas Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the 
     horrors of the Holocaust, which were unprecedented in human 
     history;
       Whereas the people of Israel have established a unique, 
     pluralistic democracy that incorporates the freedoms 
     cherished by the people of the United States, including--
       (1) the freedom of speech;
       (2) the freedom of religion;
       (3) the freedom of association;
       (4) the freedom of the press; and
       (5) government by the consent of the governed;
       Whereas Israel continues to serve as a shining model of 
     democratic values by--
       (1) regularly holding free and fair elections;

[[Page S3994]]

       (2) promoting the free exchange of ideas; and
       (3) 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 it declared its 
     independence;
       Whereas the Government of Israel has successfully worked 
     with the neighboring Governments of Egypt and Jordan to 
     establish peaceful and bilateral relations;
       Whereas, despite the deaths of over 1,000 innocent Israelis 
     at the hands of murderous suicide bombers and other 
     terrorists during the last 5 years, the people of Israel 
     continue to seek peace with their Palestinian neighbors;
       Whereas visionary Israeli leaders like Yitzhak Rabin and 
     Ariel Sharon were at the forefront of creating conditions for 
     peace in the Middle East;
       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 the Independence Day of Israel on the Jewish 
     calendar coincides this year with May 3, 2006: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a 
     significant event for providing refuge and a national 
     homeland for the Jewish people;
       (2) commends the bipartisan commitment of all 
     administrations and Congresses of the United States since 
     1948 that stood by Israel and worked for its security and 
     well-being;
       (3) congratulates the United States and Israel for 
     strengthening their bilateral relations during the last year 
     in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, 
     and encourages both countries 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 58th anniversary of 
     the independence of Israel.

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, this resolution we addressed is a 
resolution recognizing the 58th anniversary of the independence of the 
State of Israel. I am proud to be the sponsor of this resolution and 
appreciate my colleagues for joining me on this resolution.

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