IV 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 115 

Recognizing the 64th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 29, 2012 

Ms. BUERKLE (for herself, Mr. JORDAN, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. 

GOSAR, Mr. YODER, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. WEST, Mr. SESSIONS, Mrs. 

MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. NEAL, Mr. RUSH, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. 

KLINE, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. 

TURNER of New York, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. LANCE, Mr. 

HANNA, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. BOREN, Mr. BARTLETT, 

Mr. CHAFFETZ, Mr. AUSTRIA, Mr. GOWDY, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. TIBERI, 

Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. RUNYAN, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. 

HENSARLING, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. PENCE, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, 

Mr. POSEY, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. FLEMING, Mr. 

FLORES, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. RIBBLE, Mr. HARRIS, Mr. GRAVES

of Georgia, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Mr. 

STUTZMAN, Mr. CANSECO, Mr. PITTS, Mr. WALSH of Illinois, Mr. MANZULLO, Mrs. HARTZLER, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. CARDOZA, 

Mr. KELLY, Mrs. ADAMS, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Mrs. BACHMANN, Mr. 

MACK, and Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia) submitted the following concurrent 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 64th anniversary of the independence of 

the State of Israel. 

Whereas on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel declared its 

independence; 


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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 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; 


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Whereas it is imperative for all countries in the Middle East, 

and for United States’ interests in the Middle East, that 

these peace treaties continue to be recognized and upheld 

by all involved parties; 

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 both Israel’s and the United 

States’ safety and security, 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 26, 2012: 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 


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1 a national homeland for the Jewish people and in es2 tablishing a democracy in the Middle East; 

3 (2) commends the bipartisan commitment of all 

4 United States administrations and United States 

5 Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work 

6 for its security and well-being; 

7 (3) asserts its commitment to continue to stand 

8 with Israel during times of uncertainty throughout 

9 the Middle East and North Africa; 

10 (4) expresses support for Israel’s right to con11 front and eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, 

12 defend Israeli sovereignty, and protect the lives and 

13 safety of the Israeli people, including the use of mili14 tary force if no other peaceful solution can be found 

15 within a reasonable time; 

16 (5) congratulates the United States and Israel 

17 for the strengthening of bilateral relations in recent 

18 years in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and home19 land security, and encourages both nations to con20 tinue their cooperation in resolving future mutual 

21 challenges; and 

22 (6) extends warm congratulations and best 

23 wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 

24 64th anniversary of Israel’s independence. 

Æ 


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