As Israelis celebrated the Jewish state’s 66th birthday, so did Connecticut. As the Israeli flag was hoisted up the Capitol flag pole, State Representatives David Baram (Bloomfield) and Brian Becker (West Hartford) introduced this statement into the record of the State House of Representatives:

Mr. Speaker, today is Israel’s 66th birthday, its Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut.  Since Israel’s inception in 1948, Israel and the United States have shared a special relationship as allies and democracies.

Connecticut also maintains close ties with Israel.  Connecticut has historic trade and educational relationships with Israel not only in defense industries, but in Medical, bio-tech, manufacturing, and in the arts and sciences.

In recognition of Israel Independence Day, the Israeli flag is flying over our Capitol, which I invite my colleagues to observe.