IV 

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 


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•HCON 30 IH 

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 


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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 

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 

8 successive United States administrations and United 

9 States Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and 

10 work for its security and well-being; 


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1 (3) asserts its commitment to continue to stand 

2 with Israel during times of uncertainty; 

3 (4) expresses support for Israel’s right to exist 

4 as a democratic, Jewish State, defend itself, and 

5 protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people; 

6 (5) congratulates the United States and Israel 

7 for the strengthening of bilateral relations during 

8 the past decade in the fields of defense, diplomacy, 

9 and homeland security, and encourages both nations 

10 to continue their cooperation in resolving future mu11 tual challenges; 

12 (6) reaffirms its unequivocal, enduring, and bi13 partisan support for the alliance and friendship be14 tween the United States and Israel; and 

15 (7) extends warm congratulations and best 

16 wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 

17 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence. 

Æ 


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