[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S5257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 59TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATE OF 
                                 ISRAEL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the consideration of S. Res. 175.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 175) recognizing the 59th anniversary 
     of the independence of the State of Israel.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. 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. 175) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 175

       Whereas, on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was 
     established as a sovereign and independent country;
       Whereas the United States was one of the first countries to 
     recognize the State of Israel, only 11 minutes after the 
     creation of the State;
       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 Israel has also provided a refuge to, and has 
     successfully absorbed, more than 800,000 Jewish refugees who 
     fled persecution in neighboring states in the Middle East;
       Whereas the people of Israel have established a 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;
       (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 Israel declared its 
     independence;
       Whereas the Government of Israel has successfully worked 
     with the neighboring governments of Egypt and Jordan to 
     establish peaceful bilateral relations;
       Whereas, despite the deaths of over 1,000 innocent citizens 
     of Israel at the hands of murderous suicide bombers and other 
     terrorists since 2002, the people of Israel continue to seek 
     peace with their Palestinian neighbors;
       Whereas several Israeli soldiers remain hostages of 
     terrorist groups, and were unable to celebrate the 
     Independence Day of Israel with their families and friends;
       Whereas successive leaders of Israel have sought 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;
       Whereas the Independence Day of Israel on the Jewish 
     calendar coincides this year with April 24, 2007; and
       Whereas recognition of the numerous achievements of the 
     people and the State of Israel is especially important in 
     2007 given the grave threats issued by, and the clear 
     intentions of, the Government of Iran: 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) strongly supports efforts to bring peace to the Middle 
     East;
       (3) commends the bipartisan commitment of all Presidents 
     and Congresses of the United States since 1948 that supported 
     Israel and worked for the security and well-being of Israel;
       (4) congratulates the United States and Israel for 
     strengthening their bilateral relations during 2006 in the 
     fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, and 
     encourages both countries to continue their cooperation in 
     resolving mutual challenges; and
       (5) extends the best wishes of the Senate to the people of 
     Israel as they celebrate the 59th anniversary of the 
     independence of the State of Israel.

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