Bill Text: GA SR532 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Israel, State of; expressing cultural, economic, and educational cooperation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2009-03-10 - Senate Read and Adopted [SR532 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR532-Enrolled.html
09 LC 94
1001
Senate
Resolution 532
By:
Senator Hill of the 32nd
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
cultural, economic, and educational cooperation with the State of Israel; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
there is a special bond of friendship between the citizens of Georgia and Israel
that inspires the people of Georgia to stand with the people of Israel in
solidarity and welcome all opportunities to grow our already deep relationship
at all levels, including cultural, academic, and business endeavors;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to serve as home to the Israeli Consulate General for the
Southeast; and
WHEREAS,
on May 14, 1948, the 5th day of Iyar, Jewish representatives from all over
Palestine met in the Tel Aviv Museum where David Ben-Gurion declared Israel's
independence, and in the following four months, some 50,000 newcomers, mainly
Holocaust survivors, reached Israel's shores; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be the home of over 45 Israeli companies that employ more
than 2,000 people; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Economic Development operates an established trade
office in Israel; and
WHEREAS,
the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ra'anana, Israel, are official sister
cities; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Institute of Technology is involved in a joint initiative with
Israel in developing nanotechnology, a research sector in which Israel is
emerging as a global leader; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia State University and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange
have an established program with law enforcement agencies in Israel;
and
WHEREAS,
the University of Georgia and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have a program
to close the gap of time between acts of terror and governmental response by
studying the ways in which a society that has long been subject to political
violence has addressed the effects of such violence on its peoples;
and
WHEREAS,
Israel is a top export destination for Georgia with transportation equipment,
paper, computer and electronics equipment, beverages and tobacco products, and
machinery; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia imports over $337 million from Israel through the Savannah Customs
District with top imports, including optical, surgical, and photo equipment;
organic chemicals; furniture; electrical machinery; and plastics;
and
WHEREAS,
Delta Air Lines connects Georgia and Israel with regular flight service,
providing the opportunity for business and cultural relationships to grow;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be a leader in the Israel Bonds program; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust works to draw lessons from the history
of the Holocaust in order to help lead new generations of Georgians beyond
racism and bigotry; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be home to chapters of the American Israel Chamber of
Commerce, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the American Jewish
Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Hadassah, the Jewish Federation, and the
Jewish National Fund.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body hereby
recognize the special friendship between Georgia and Israel and express our
appreciation to his Excellency Ambassador Mansour for his tireless efforts to
promote peace and grow the business, cultural, and educational ties between our
two nations.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body reaffirm their strong support
of the Israeli people and the God given right of the State of Israel to exist
and offer their full support and prayers.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body hereby encourages further cultural,
educational, and business exchanges between citizens of Georgia and Israel and
welcomes all opportunities to develop the special bond of friendship between
Georgia and Israel.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to his Excellency Ambassador
Mansour.
