“I join in celebrating the seventy-first anniversary of the rebirth of a Jewish state in the ancient homeland of the Jewish people.  Israel has been a marvel to the world, weaving from a history of adversity a miraculous tapestry of resilience, innovation, and the steadfast pursuit of the ancient prophets’ dream of peace and justice on Earth.  Yom Ha’Atzmaut doesn’t just celebrate modern Israel’s independence; it celebrates the determination of a people to overcome difficult odds and face an uncertain future with courage and vision.    “Israel continues to contend with terror, threats of destruction, and anti-Semitism.  But it does not face these challenges alone.  America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our ally.  I am proud to be a leader of the broad, bipartisan coalition supporting a strong U.S.-Israel partnership in Congress, and I will continue to work closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to present a united front against the enemies that threaten both our nations and the values we share.    “I send the people of Israel my well wishes on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and I pray that the words of the Torah will ring true – that Israel will always be a place that ‘flows with milk and honey’ and the sweetness of timeless, ancient dreams fulfilled.”