[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 115 Introduced in House (IH)]
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;
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;
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
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 all 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 throughout the Middle East and
North Africa;
(4) expresses support for Israel's right to confront and
eliminate nuclear threats posed by Iran, defend Israeli
sovereignty, and protect the lives and safety of the Israeli
people, including the use of military force if no other
peaceful solution can be found within a reasonable time;
(5) congratulates the United States and Israel for the
strengthening of bilateral relations in recent years in the
fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, and
encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in
resolving future mutual challenges; and
(6) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the
people of Israel as they celebrate the 64th anniversary of
Israel's independence.
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