08 LC 95
0371
House
Resolution 1300
By:
Representatives Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Levitas of the
82nd,
Jacobs of the
80th,
Henson of the
87th,
Watson of the
91st,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
the State of Georgia's reaffirmation of the bonds of friendship and cooperation
with the State of Israel on the occasion of the Jewish State's 60th Anniversary;
and
WHEREAS,
on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to partition the
British Mandate of Palestine, and through that vote created the State of Israel;
and
WHEREAS,
the desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of
Israel was the outgrowth of the existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel
established three thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem and in the land of
Israel; and
WHEREAS,
born in the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has from its inception faced the
hostility, and frequently the armed aggression, of its neighbors;
and
WHEREAS,
since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern State of Israel has rebuilt a
nation, forged a new and dynamic society, and created a unique and vital
economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life despite the heavy costs of
six wars, terrorism, international ostracism, and economic boycotts;
and
WHEREAS,
Israel and the United States have a shared commitment to freedom, peace,
security, and civil rights for all their citizens; and
WHEREAS,
there is a special bond of cultural, economic, and educational cooperation
between the citizens of Georgia and Israel in that Georgia is proud to be home
to 45 Israeli companies; Georgia's Department of Economic Development has a
trade office in Israel; the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ra'anana, Israel are
official Sister Cities; Georgia and Israel have an established International Law
Enforcement Exchange program; and Georgia imports in excess of $300 million from
Israel through the Savannah Customs District; and
WHEREAS,
with the anniversary observance taking place throughout the year, Israel will
celebrate its anniversary with events marking the birth and development of the
state, the struggle to find peace and security, and its hopes for the
future.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize the historic significance of the sixtieth anniversary of the
reestablishment of the sovereign and independent modern State of Israel; commend
the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state
and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East; reaffirm the bonds of
friendship and cooperation which have existed between the State of Georgia and
Israel for six decades, and Georgia's desire for sustained collaboration on
technological innovation in such sectors as security, alternative energy, and
natural resource management; express Georgia's appreciation to Ambassador
Mansour for his efforts to promote peace and grow business, cultural, and
educational ties between the two nations; continue Georgia's commitment to
Israel and its people by maintaining or increasing investment in State of Israel
bonds; and extend warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel
and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Ambassador
Mansour.