[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6824]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 463--RECOGNIZING THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                  INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

  Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
Vitter, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lautenberg, 
Mr. Nelson of Florida, and Mr. Biden) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              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;
       (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.

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