WHEREAS, The United States of America and the State of Israel are nations founded by people seeking religious freedom, which triumphed in wars of independence to establish enduring democratic governments; and
     WHEREAS, The first national elections in Israel took place on January 25, 1949, eight months after Israel proclaimed its independence; and
     WHEREAS, These elections resulted in the creation of the Israeli parliament, called the Knesset, which then began its first session; and
     WHEREAS, In the ensuing 60 years the United States and Israel have remained strong allies because of their shared interest in democracy and basic human rights, and more recently, from standing together at the forefront of a new kind of war, the war against terror; and
     WHEREAS, Israel represents the strongest democracy in the Middle East, and as such is deserving of continued and unwavering support from the United States;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the 60th anniversary of the elections which created Israel's national legislative body and the 60 years of strong ties that have existed between the United States and Israel; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Prime Minister and President of Israel, the Speaker of the Knesset, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and President Barack Obama.