III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 322 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 24, 2008 

Received 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the 

modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of 

close friendship and cooperation between the United 

States and Israel. 

Whereas on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General 

Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine and create a Jewish state; 

Whereas on May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed 

the establishment of the sovereign and independent State 

of Israel, and the United States Government established 

full diplomatic relations with Israel; 


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HCON 322 RDS 

Whereas the desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of Israel is an outgrowth of the existence of the historic kingdom of Israel established in 

the Land of Israel 3,000 years ago, with the city of Jerusalem as its capital; 

Whereas for over 2,000 years, there has been continuous 

Jewish presence and residence in the land comprising the 

modern State of Israel; 

Whereas the establishment of the modern State of Israel as 

a homeland for the Jewish people followed the slaughter 

of more than 6,000,000 European Jews during the Holocaust; 

Whereas since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern 

State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic democratic society, and created a thriving economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the 

heavy costs of war, terrorism, and unjustified diplomatic 

and economic boycotts against the people of Israel; 

Whereas the people of Israel have established a vibrant, pluralistic, democratic political system, including freedom of 

speech, association, and religion; a vigorously free press; 

free, fair and open elections; the rule of law; a fully independent judiciary; and other democratic principles and 

practices; 

Whereas Israel has developed some of the leading universities 

in the world, and 8 Israeli citizens have been awarded the 

Nobel Prize; 

Whereas Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial 

economy, is among the world’s leaders in the high-tech 

industry, and is at the forefront of research and development in the field of renewable energy sources; 


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HCON 322 RDS 

Whereas Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search-andrescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other emergency supplies, to help victims of disasters around the world, including the 1994 Rwandan civil war, the 1998 bombing 

of the United States Embassy in Kenya, the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 

2005 hurricanes along the southern coast of the United 

States, and the 2007 fires in Greece; 

Whereas Israel has absorbed millions of Jews from countries 

throughout the world and fully integrated them into 

Israeli society; 

Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from repeated terrorist and military attacks since its independence; 

Whereas successive leaders of Israel have sought to achieve 

peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors; 

Whereas Israel has established peaceful bilateral relations 

with neighboring Egypt and Jordan and has made its desire to establish peaceful relations with all Arab states 

abundantly clear; 

Whereas for 6 decades, the United States and Israel have 

maintained a special relationship based on mutually 

shared democratic values, common strategic interests, 

and moral bonds of friendship and mutual respect; 

Whereas the American people feel a strong affinity for the 

Israeli people based on common values and shared cultural heritage; and 

Whereas the United States continues to regard Israel as a 

strong and trusted ally and an important strategic partner: Now, therefore, be it 


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HCON 322 RDS 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 

4 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the sov5 ereign and independent State of Israel as a home6 land for the Jewish people; 

7 (2) reaffirms its enduring support for Israel as 

8 Israel pursues peace with its neighbors; 

9 (3) reaffirms its support for Israel’s right to de10 fend itself against threats to its security and exist11 ence; 

12 (4) commends the people of Israel for their re13 markable achievements in building a new state and 

14 a pluralistic, democratic society in the face of ter15 rorism, as well as hostility, ostracism, and bellig16 erence from many of their neighbors; 

17 (5) reaffirms the bonds of friendship and co18 operation which have existed between the United 

19 States and Israel for the past 60 years, and commits 

20 to strengthening those bonds; and 

21 (6) extends the warmest congratulations and 

22 best wishes to the State of Israel and the Israeli 


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1 people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful fu2 ture. 

Passed the House of Representatives April 23, 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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