III 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 111 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
MAY 5, 2009 
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the 61st 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; 
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Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites sacred to Ju-
daism, 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 de-
mocracy 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 gov-
erned; 
Whereas Israel continues to serve as a shining model of 
democratic values by regularly holding free and fair elec-
tions, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and vigor-
ously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a demo-
cratic government that is fully representative of its citi-
zens; 
Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from terrorist and 
military attacks repeatedly since independence; 
Whereas the rocket attacks that have occurred in Israel in re-
cent 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 suc-
cessfully established peaceful bilateral relations with 
neighboring Egypt and Jordan; 
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 na-
tion, is a continued threat to Israel’s safety and security, 
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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 part-
nership 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 29, 2009: 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 es-
tablishing a democracy in the Middle East; 
(2) commends the bipartisan commitment of all 
United States administrations and United States 
Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work 
for its security and well-being; 
(3) congratulates the United States and Israel 
for the strengthening of bilateral relations in recent 
years in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and home-
land security, and encourages both nations to con-
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tinue their cooperation in resolving future mutual 
challenges; and 
(4) extends warm congratulations and best 
wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 
61st anniversary of Israel’s independence. 
Passed the House of Representatives May 4, 2009. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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