“Israel at 60 Day in Iowa” May 14, 2008
P R O C L A M A T I O N:
WHEREAS, 2008 MARKS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MODERN JEWISH STATE OF ISRAEL; AND
WHEREAS, OFFICIALLY DECLARED AN INDEPENDENT NATION ON MAY 14, 1948, ISRAEL PLANS A SERIES OF EVENT TO CELEBRATE ITS DIAMOND JUBILEE; 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, IN ITS 60 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, ISRAEL HAS BECOME THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, PROTECTING, AMONG ITS FREEDOMS, THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION FOR ALL IN THE HOLY LAND, AND
WHEREAS, BORN IN THE ASHES OF THE HOLOCAUST, 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, ISRAEL CONTINUES TO STRIVE FOR PEACE WITH SECURITY AND DIGNITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEIGHBORS; AND
WHEREAS, IOWA BUSINESSES AND UNIVERSITIES PARTICIPATE IN TRADE AND RESEARCH PROJECTS WITH ISRAELI COUNTERPARTS:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHESTER J. CULVER, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 14, 2008, AS “ISRAEL AT 60 DAY” IN IOWA.
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Remarks on the occasion of Israel’s 60th Anniversary of Independence (Excerpts)
Senator Charles Grassley – “The United States and Israel have maintained a special relationship for 60 years. … We share the same freedoms of religion and speech, love of democracy and entrepreneurial enterprise.
Israel is America’s strongest ally in the United Nations and as the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is a key strategic ally. The United States must do all that we can to sustain this important democracy. The futures of our two countries are linked in many important ways.
I congratulate and send my best wishes to the friends of Israel and the Israeli people as they celebrate this important anniversary.
Senator Tom Harkin – “ I am proud to be a friend and staunch supporter of Israel in the United States Senate. Israel and the United States share a special relationship based on shared democratic values and common strategic interests. We will always stand by Israel’s side.
Israel’s existence continues to be threatened in a dangerous region of the world. The United States of America must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
On this 60th anniversary, Israel continues to build an advanced, entrepreneurial economy, and is firmly established as a world leader in high-tech research and development. Moreover Israel has established peaceful bilateral relations with two of its Arab neighbors, Egypt and Jordan. I am hopeful that Israel’s dream of living in peace with all of its neighbors will soon be realized.
Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA- 3rd District) - "Israel is the only democratic government in the region and a strong ally of the United States… I pledge my support not because it is a nice thing but the right thing."
Congressman Tom Latham (IA-4th District) - “As a strong supporter of the close and longstanding relationship between Israel and the United States, I offer my best wishes …on this notable occasion. I look forward to future opportunities to lend my support to Israel as we collectively strive for a prosperous and more peaceful Middle East and world.”
