07 LC 96
2111
Senate
Resolution 95
By:
Senators Hill of the 32nd, Adelman of the 42nd, Unterman of the 45th, Moody of
the 56th, Rogers of the 21st and others
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
cultural, economic, and educational cooperation with the State of Israel; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
there is a special bond of friendship between the citizens of Georgia and Israel
and that the people of Georgia stand with the people of Israel in solidarity and
welcome all opportunities to grow our already deep relationship at all levels
including cultural, academic, business, and all others; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to serve as home to the Israeli Consulate General for the
Southeast; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be the home of over 45 Israeli companies, employing upwards
of 2,000 people; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Economic Development operates an established trade
office in Israel; and
WHEREAS,
the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ra'anana, Israel, are official Sister
Cities; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Institute of Technology is involved in a joint initiative with
Israel in nanotechnology, a sector in which Israel is emerging as a global
leader; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia State University and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange
has an established program with law enforcement agencies in Israel;
and
WHEREAS,
the University of Georgia and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have a program
to close the gap between acts of terror and response by studying the ways in
which a society that has long been subject to political violence has addressed
the effects of such violence on its peoples; and
WHEREAS,
Israel is a top export destination for Georgia with exports totaling over $212
million including transportation equipment, paper, computer and electronics
equipment, beverages and tobacco products, and machinery; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia imports over $337 million from Israel through the Savannah Customs
District with top imports including optic, surgical, and photo equipment;
organic chemicals; furniture; electrical machinery; and plastics;
and
WHEREAS,
Delta Air Lines connects Georgia and Israel with regular flight service,
providing the opportunity for business and cultural relationships to grow;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be a leader in the Israel Bonds program; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust works to take lessons from the history
of the Holocaust and use them to help lead new generations of Georgians beyond
racism and bigotry; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be home to chapters of the American Israel Chamber of
Commerce, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the American Jewish
Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Hadassah, the Jewish Federation, and the
Jewish National Fund.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body hereby
recognize the special friendship between Georgia and Israel and express our
appreciation to Ambassador Mansour for his tireless efforts to promote peace and
grow business, cultural, and educational ties between our two nations.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the this body hereby encourages further cultural,
educational, and business exchanges between citizens of Georgia and Israel and
welcomes all opportunities to develop the special bond of friendship between
Georgia and Israel.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Ambassador Mansour.