Bill Text: VA SJR399 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the State of Israel.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-5)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ399ER) [SJR399 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2013-SJR399-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, 2013 marks the 65th 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 desire of the Jewish people to establish the modern Jewish State of Israel grew from the existence of the historic Kingdom of Israel, established 3,000 years ago in the city of Jerusalem in the land of Israel; and WHEREAS, the ties between Virginia and the Jewish people began when Rebecca Isaacke and Elias Legardo, along with Joseph Moise, emigrated to Virginia in 1624; and WHEREAS, Israel has much to commemorate and celebrate, most notably the fact that it has established, in its 65 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; benefit from one of the highest standards of living in the Middle East; and strive for peace with security and dignity for themselves and their neighbors; and WHEREAS, born in the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has from its inception defended itself in six wars and is the constant target of terrorism; and WHEREAS, despite difficult and often dangerous circumstances, Israel has been blessed with a succession of great leaders from David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir to Shimon Peres, Ariel Sharon, and Benjamin Netanyahu; 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, ties between the Commonwealth and Israel have been strengthened since the year 2000 as the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board helped create 1,470 new jobs, generating more than $40 million in state tax revenues; and WHEREAS, more than a dozen members of the General Assembly and Governors past and present 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 65th observance culminating in May 2013, 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 Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements on the occasion of Israel's 65th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren as an expression of the General Assembly's continued admiration for Israel's many accomplishments and best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future. |
