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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 30 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 30

 Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the independence of the State of 
                                Israel.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 10, 2013

    Mr. Radel (for himself, Ms. Meng, Mr. King of New York, and Mr. 
  Schneider) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the 65th 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;
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 targeted Israel in recent years have caused 
        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 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 violence perpetrated against innocent Israelis over the last 
        several years at the hands of 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 is committed to ensuring that Israel maintains its 
        qualitative military edge;
Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on 
        shared democratic values, friendship, respect, and justice;
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 turned barren desert into a thriving country that ranks among 
        the world's leaders in economics, technology, health care, energy, and 
        humanitarianism;
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 16, 2013: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a 
        significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland 
        for the Jewish people and in establishing a democracy in the 
        Middle East;
            (2) commends the bipartisan commitment of successive United 
        States administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 
        to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being;
            (3) asserts its commitment to continue to stand with Israel 
        during times of uncertainty;
            (4) expresses support for Israel's right to exist as a 
        democratic, Jewish State, defend itself, and protect the lives 
        and safety of the Israeli people;
            (5) congratulates the United States and Israel for the 
        strengthening of bilateral relations during the past decade in 
        the fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, and 
        encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in 
        resolving future mutual challenges;
            (6) reaffirms its unequivocal, enduring, and bipartisan 
        support for the alliance and friendship between the United 
        States and Israel; and
            (7) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the 
        people of Israel as they celebrate the 65th anniversary of 
        Israel's independence.
                                 <all>
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