III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 151 

Recognizing the 57th Anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 19, 2005 

Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. REID, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. 

INHOFE, Mr. LIEBERMAN, and Mrs. DOLE) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 57th Anniversary of the Independence of 

the State of Israel. 

Whereas in May 1948, the State of Israel was established as 

a sovereign and independent nation; 

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; 

Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites which are sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; 

Whereas Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the 

horrors of the Holocaust and the evils committed by the 

Nazis which were unprecedented in human history; 
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•SRES 151 ATS

Whereas the people of Israel have established a unique, 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 attacks repeatedly since 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 one thousand innocent 

Israelis at the hands of murderous, suicide bombers and 

other terrorists during the past 4 years, the people of 

Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian 

neighbors; 

Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on shared mutual democratic values, 

friendship, and respect; 

Whereas the people of the United States share affinity with 

the people of Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally; and 

Whereas Israel has made significant global contributions in 

the fields of science, medicine, and technology: Now, 

therefore, be it 
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•SRES 151 ATS

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the independence of the State of 

3 Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and 

4 a national homeland for the Jewish people; 

5 (2) strongly supports efforts to bring peace to 

6 the Middle East, including the disengagement plan 

7 of the Israeli government, the Roadmap, and the re8 cent Quartet decision to appoint World Bank Presi9 dent James Wolfensohn as Coordinator for Gaza 

10 Disengagement; 

11 (3) commends the bipartisan commitment of all 

12 United States administrations and United States 

13 Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work 

14 for its security and well-being; and 

15 (4) extends warm congratulations and best 

16 wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 

17 57th anniversary of Israel’s independence. 

Æ