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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the

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founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming

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the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the

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United States, the State of Florida, and Israel.

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     WHEREAS, 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of

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the modern Jewish State of Israel, and

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     WHEREAS, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General

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Assembly voted to partition the British Mandate of Palestine and,

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through that vote, to create the State of Israel, and

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     WHEREAS, officially declared an independent nation on May

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14, 1948, Israel plans a series of events to celebrate its

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Diamond Jubilee, which began on November 29, 2007, the 60th

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anniversary of the vote on the Partition Plan, and

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     WHEREAS, the desire of the Jewish people to establish an

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independent modern State of Israel is the outgrowth of the

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existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel established 3,000

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years ago in the city of Jerusalem and in the land of Israel, and

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     WHEREAS, a century ago at the First Zionist Congress in

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Basel, Switzerland, participants under the leadership of Theodore

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Herzl affirmed the desire to reestablish a Jewish homeland in the

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historic land of Israel, and

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     WHEREAS, in its 60 years of existence, Israel has become the

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most successful democracy in the Middle East, and its citizens

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enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region, and

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     WHEREAS, born in the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has from

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its inception faced the hostility, and frequently the armed

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aggression, of its neighbors, and

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     WHEREAS, since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern

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State of Israel has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic

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society, and created a unique and vital economic, political,

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cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy costs of six

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wars, terrorism, international ostracism, and economic boycotts,

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and

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     WHEREAS, despite difficult and often dangerous

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circumstances, Israel has prospered, blessed with a succession of

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great leaders from David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir to Menachem

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Begin and Yitzhak Rabin, and

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     WHEREAS, Israel continues to strive for peace with security

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and dignity for themselves and their neighbors, and

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     WHEREAS, the connection between the State of Florida and

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Israel is reflected by the support of the Florida Israel

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Institute as well as other cultural and business exchanges, and

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     WHEREAS, today cities throughout Florida have Sister City

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and Partnership 2000 relationships with cities in Israel, and

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     WHEREAS, with the anniversary observance taking place

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throughout the year, Israel will celebrate its anniversary with

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events marking the birth and development of the state, the

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struggle to find peace and security, and its hopes for the

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future, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the Senate recognizes the historic significance of the

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60th anniversary of the reestablishment of the sovereign and

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independent modern State of Israel; commends the people of Israel

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for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a

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pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East; reaffirms the

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bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between

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the United States and Israel for six decades and which have been

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significant for both countries; recommits to working with Israel

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to ensure its security in its quest for peace with its neighbors

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and the countries in the region; and extends the warmest

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congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her

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people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with

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the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Israeli

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Ambassador Sallai Meridor as a tangible token of the sentiments

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of the Florida Senate.