III 

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; 


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HCON 111 RFS 

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, 


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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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the independence of the State of 

4 Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and 

5 a national homeland for the Jewish people and in es6 tablishing a democracy in the Middle East; 

7 (2) commends the bipartisan commitment of all 

8 United States administrations and United States 

9 Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work 

10 for its security and well-being; 

11 (3) congratulates the United States and Israel 

12 for the strengthening of bilateral relations in recent 

13 years in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and home14 land security, and encourages both nations to conVerDate Nov 24 2008 23:33 May 05, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC111.RFS HC111

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1 tinue their cooperation in resolving future mutual 

2 challenges; and 

3 (4) extends warm congratulations and best 

4 wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 

5 61st anniversary of Israel’s independence. 

Passed the House of Representatives May 4, 2009. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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