Congress Reaffirms Strength of U.S.-Israel Alliance

5/1/2008

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In a historic display of support for America’s special relationship with the Jewish state, the House and the Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel’s birth and reaffirming the close ties between the two nations.

With the entire 100 member body co-sponsoring the legislation (S. Res. 522), the measure passed the Senate by unanimous consent, while the House approved its version (H. Res. 322) by a resounding vote of 417-0. The Speaker of the House, who traditionally does not cosponsor legislation, joined Democratic and Republican House leaders as a lead sponsor of the bill.

Both chambers of Congress praised “the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic, democratic society in the face of terrorism, as well as hostility, ostracism, and belligerence from many of their neighbors.”

The resolution also noted that “Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial economy” and “is at the forefront of research and development in the field of renewable energy sources.”

The House and Senate “extended the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.”

The resolutions were introduced in the House by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), and in the Senate by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

The passage of the resolutions comes as the Democratic Israel Working Group and the House Republican Israel Caucus are spearheading a series of weekly floor speeches in order to honor Israel’s 60th anniversary.  •NER•

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