Florida Senate - 2008 (NP) SR 2922
By Senator Rich
34-04433-08 20082922__
1
Senate Resolution
2
A resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the
3
founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming
4
the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the
5
United States, the State of Florida, and Israel.
6
7
WHEREAS, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of
8
the modern Jewish State of Israel, and
9
WHEREAS, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General
10
Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine and,
11
through that vote, to create the State of Israel, and
12
WHEREAS, officially declared an independent nation on May
13
14, 1948, Israel plans a series of events to celebrate its
14
Diamond Jubilee, which began on November 29, 2007, the 60th
15
anniversary of the vote on the Partition Plan, and
16
WHEREAS, the desire of the Jewish people to establish an
17
independent modern State of Israel is the outgrowth of the
18
existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel established 3,000
19
years ago in the city of Jerusalem and in the land of Israel, and
20
WHEREAS, a century ago at the First Zionist Congress in
21
Basel, Switzerland, participants under the leadership of Theodore
22
Herzl affirmed the desire to reestablish a Jewish homeland in the
23
historic land of Israel, and
24
WHEREAS, in its 60 years of existence, Israel has become the
25
most successful democracy in the Middle East, and its citizens
26
enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region, and
27
WHEREAS, born in the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has from
28
its inception faced the hostility, and frequently the armed
29
aggression, of its neighbors, and
30
WHEREAS, since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern
31
State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic
32
society, and created a unique and vital economic, political,
33
cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy costs of six
34
wars, terrorism, international ostracism, and economic boycotts,
35
and
36
WHEREAS, despite difficult and often dangerous
37
circumstances, Israel has prospered, blessed with a succession of
38
great leaders from David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir to Menachem
39
Begin and Yitzhak Rabin, and
40
WHEREAS, Israel continues to strive for peace with security
41
and dignity for themselves and their neighbors, and
42
WHEREAS, the connection between the State of Florida and
43
Israel is reflected by the support of the Florida Israel
44
Institute as well as other cultural and business exchanges, and
45
WHEREAS, today cities throughout Florida have Sister City
46
and Partnership 2000 relationships with cities in Israel, and
47
WHEREAS, with the anniversary observance taking place
48
throughout the year, Israel will celebrate its anniversary with
49
events marking the birth and development of the state, the
50
struggle to find peace and security, and its hopes for the
51
future, NOW, THEREFORE,
52
53
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
54
55
That the Senate recognizes the historic significance of the
56
60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the sovereign and
57
independent modern State of Israel; commends the people of Israel
58
for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a
59
pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East; reaffirms the
60
bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between
61
the United States and Israel for six decades and which have been
62
significant for both countries; recommits to working with Israel
63
to ensure its security in its quest for peace with its neighbors
64
and the countries in the region; and extends the warmest
65
congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her
66
people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.
67
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
68
the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Israeli
69
Ambassador Sallai Meridor as a tangible token of the sentiments
70
of the Florida Senate.
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.