Rep. Meisner offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 329.

            A resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.

            Whereas, The year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern Jewish State of Israel; and

            Whereas, We would like to reaffirm the bonds of friendship, cooperation, and collaboration between Michigan and Israel; and

            Whereas, On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to end the British Mandate of Palestine, partition the country and, through that vote, create the State of Israel; and

            Whereas, Officially declared an independent nation on May 14, 1948, Israel plans a series of events throughout the year to celebrate its 60th anniversary; and

            Whereas, The desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern State of Israel is 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, A century ago at the First Zionist Congress, in Basel, Switzerland, participants, under the leadership of Theodore Herzl, affirmed the desire to reestablish a Jewish homeland in the historic land of Israel; and

            Whereas, In its 60 years of existence, Israel has become the most successful democracy in the Middle East, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the area; and

            Whereas, Born in the ashes of the Nazi Holocaust and crimes against the Jews in Europe and the Middle East, Israel has from its inception faced the hostility and, frequently, the armed aggression of its neighbors; and

            Whereas, Since its establishment sixty 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, Despite difficult and often dangerous circumstances, Israel has prospered.  It has been blessed with a number of great leaders, from David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir to Menachem Begin and Yitzak Rabin;  and

            Whereas, Israel continues to strive for peace with security and dignity for themselves and their neighbors; and

            Whereas, The connection between Michigan and Israel is strong and growing, as evidenced by the creation of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge to promote economic and business partnerships between the States; 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 legislative body recognize the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel; and be it further

            Resolved, That we commend the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society in the Middle East.  We reaffirm the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel, which have been very significant for both countries. We recommit to working with Israel to assure its security in its quest for peace with its neighbors and the countries in the region; and be it further

            Resolved, That we extend the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and her people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future; and be it further

            Resolved, That we transmit a copy of this resolution to Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor as an expression of the admiration for Israel’s manifold accomplishments and best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future.