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2018 SESSION

18105527D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 165
Offered January 29, 2018
Commending the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.
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Patrons-- Filler-Corn, Adams, L.R., Ayala, Bell, John J., Bell, Richard P., Bloxom, Boysko, Brewer, Bulova, Carr, Carroll Foy, Cline, Cole, Collins, Convirs-Fowler, Davis, Fariss, Fowler, Freitas, Gilbert, Guzman, Habeeb, Head, Helsel, Heretick, Herring, Hodges, Hope, Hugo, Hurst, Ingram, James, Jones, J.C., Jones, S.C., Keam, Kilgore, Landes, LaRock, Leftwich, Levine, Lindsey, Lopez, Marshall, McGuire, McQuinn, Miyares, Morefield, Murphy, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Pillion, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Reid, Robinson, Rodman, Rush, Sickles, Simon, Stolle, Sullivan, Thomas, Torian, Toscano, Tran, Turpin, Tyler, VanValkenburg, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright and Yancey; Senators: Chafin, Ebbin, Petersen, Spruill and Wagner
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WHEREAS, 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the modern Jewish State of Israel, which was officially declared an independent nation on May 14, 1948; and

WHEREAS, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel, and the United States government established full diplomatic relations after Israel’s first election in 1949; and

WHEREAS, for over 2,000 years, Jews living in other parts of the world have maintained a profound spiritual and emotional connection to the Land of Israel, and there has been continuous Jewish presence in the land comprising the modern State of Israel; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of the modern State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people followed the destruction of much of European Jewry during the Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, Israel has much to commemorate and celebrate, most notably the fact that it has established, in its 70 years of existence, the most successful and politically stable democracy in a Middle East that continues to experience great turmoil; and

WHEREAS, the people of Israel enjoy a dynamic society with a unique and vital economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life and strive for peace with security and dignity for themselves and their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Israel has developed some of the world’s leading universities; and

WHEREAS, Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial economy, is among the world’s leaders of the high-tech industry, and is at the forefront of research and development in the fields of renewable energy sources and medicine; and

WHEREAS, Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search and rescue teams, mobile hospitals, and other emergency supplies to help victims of disasters around the world; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board, created by the General Assembly in 1996 and composed of members representing business, education, the arts, government, and the Jewish Community Federations serving Virginia, advises the Governor on “ways to improve economic and cultural links between the Commonwealth and the State of Israel, with a focus on the areas of commerce and trade, art and education, and general government”; and

WHEREAS, from 2000 to 2017, the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board has strengthened ties between the Commonwealth and the State of Israel by creating 2,179 new jobs, which have generated more than $74.9 million in state tax revenues; and

WHEREAS, more than a dozen members of the General Assembly and Governors have participated in political and economic missions, strengthening ties with the State of Israel; and

WHEREAS, sister-city relationships have been established between the Greater Washington, Richmond, and Tidewater Jewish Community Federations and several Israeli cities, and the bonds of friendship between the Commonwealth and Israel remain strong; and

WHEREAS, with the 70th observance culminating in May 2018, 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 Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements on the occasion of Israel’s 70th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Israeli Ambassador, Ron Dermer, as an expression of the General Assembly’s continued admiration for Israel’s many accomplishments and best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future.