Following a rocky start in the Virginia House of Delegates, Del. Brenda Pogge of Williamsburg accepted a substitute resolution by Senator Adam Ebbin of Northern Virginia, which was approved in the Senate, and made its’ way back to the House where it finally earned unanimous support.
The final version of the resolution commending the State of Israel will be delivered to Ralph Robbins, executive director of the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board, Robert G. Sugarman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, and Michael D. Siegal, chairman of the Jewish Federation of North America Board of Trustees, and their constituents.
Below is the printed (final) language of the bill. The original language of the resolution and the process it travelled through, can be found on the Virginia General Assembly website by searching their bill tracker for HJ659.
The next time you see your Virginia Senator or Delegate, please say thank you for supporting the State of Israel through their vote on this resolution and for their representation of our interests in Richmond.
If you are interested in getting involved in the Virginia legislative process through the Community Relations Council, including their annual Date With the State, which is set for February 2, 2016, contact Robin Mancoll, director, Community Relations Council, at RMancoll@ujft.org.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO . 659 — Commending the State of Israel.
WHEREAS, the Jewish people have a long-standing connection to the land of Israel; and
WHEREAS, the claim and presence of the Jewish people in Israel has remained constant throughout the past 4,000 years; and
WHEREAS, Israel declared its independence and self-governance on May 14, 1948, with the goal of reestablishing a homeland for the Jewish people; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel issued on May 14, 1948, declares the nation “will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants regardless of religion, race or sex”; and
WHEREAS, the United States, having been the first nation to recognize Israel as an independent nation and as Israel’s principal ally, has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Israel and her people; and
WHEREAS, Israel is the greatest friend and ally of the United States in the Middle East, and the two countries enjoy strong bonds and common values; and
WHEREAS, there are those in the Middle East who, since the time of Israel’s inception as a state, have continually sought to destroy Israel; and
WHEREAS, Israel and the United States have similar goals of democracy and stability in the Middle East; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Israel have enjoyed a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship since 1948, a friendship that continues to strengthen with each passing year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the State of Israel; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly commend the State of Israel for its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States and with the Commonwealth of Virginia, and express support for the State of Israel for its legal, historical, and moral right of self-governance and self-defense upon its lands; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly hereby recognize that Israel is a democratic state that must defend itself against hostile neighbors and that peace can be afforded in the region only through combined efforts and trust; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to Ralph Robbins, executive director of the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board, Robert G. Sugarman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, and Michael D. Siegal, chairman of the Jewish Federation of North America Board of Trustees, requesting that they further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
by Robin Mancoll