WHEREAS, Fifty-four years ago a free and independent Jewish state was created and recognized formally by the United States; and

WHEREAS, Israel was born as an independent nation on April 17, 1948 as a democratic Jewish state, built on the framework of liberty, justice and peace; and

WHEREAS, The centerpiece of Israeli democracy is its system of competitive, free and open elections; and

WHEREAS, The governments of the United States and Israel are close allies and share a deep and abiding friendship based on a shared commitment to democratic values; and

WHEREAS, Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has fulfilled the dreams of its founders, who envisioned a vigorous, open and stable democracy; and

WHEREAS, Today, Israel is a prosperous and free nation of 6.5 million people - an eighty fold increase since 1948. Almost 2 million of Israel's population are emigrants; and

WHEREAS, Today, Israel stands united with America as beacons for liberty, democracy and freedom; and

WHEREAS, Today, we reaffirm the close bonds of friendship that have bound the people of the United States and the people of Israel together through turbulent times for more than half a century; and

WHEREAS, Today, we restate our support for a secure peace for Israel; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Israel on the celebration of its 54^th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Israeli Ambassador to the United States and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.