LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee
upon the occasion of hosting the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Night Salute
to Israel on April 29, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals and organizations of remarkable integ-
rity and character who distinguish themselves in service to their faith
and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee upon the occasion of hosting the
Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Night Salute to Israel on April 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Israel is, just as are our own nation and the State of New
York, much more than a piece of geography; it is a state of mind, a gift
of a great and ancient heritage, and a commitment to the values of
liberty, democracy and justice in fulfillment of the responsibilities of
that heritage; and
WHEREAS, The State of Israel stands as the permanent homeland of the
Jewish people, a land dedicated to the pursuit of hope, freedom, and
democracy; it exemplifies the struggle to find peace and security and 54
years of progress and achievement in bringing the land to life; and
WHEREAS, Rising out of the ashes of the Holocaust, the history of the
modern State of Israel is one of awesome dimension; it records the
evolving development of a new, democratic nation, its most trying birth,
and struggle for survival; it is a story of dignity and the inalienable
right of self-determination; and
WHEREAS, Since the earliest days, from its awakening drive for inde-
pendence to its establishment as an independent State in 1948, and
beyond, Israel has remained a strong and unwavering beacon for world
Jewry, a growing and determined nation irrevocably anchored in the
heroism of its people, their unalterable resistance to forces of
oppression and aggression and their passion for freedom, characteristics
which define not only the State of Israel, but the religious heritage
and cultural traditions of the Jewish people, characteristics shared by
Americans and the people of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, At the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Night Salute to Israel, the
Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee will honor: The Honorable Bruce M.
Balter, Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County; Malcolm
Hoenlein, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Major American
Jewish Organizations; Olga Lipschitz, CEO of Cobble Hill Health Center;
Human Care Services for Families and Children; Ella J. Weiss, President
of the Brooklyn Arts Council; and Michael Weiss, Executive Director of
the MetroTech Business Improvement District; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee upon the occasion of
hosting the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Night Salute to Israel on April 29,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee and the aforementioned
honorees.