Phoenix Mayor Named to U.S. Delegation for 60th Anniversary of State of Israel
President Bush has invited Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon to be a member of the official U.S. Delegation to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel.
On May 14, Mayor Gordon will be the guest of Israel President Shimon Peres at a dinner honoring “60 Years of Friendship”. The following day, the Mayor will join President and Mrs. Bush at the Israel Museum. “I am honored to be part of this historic delegation,” said Mayor Gordon. “Never before has support for Israel been so critical. With threats from Iran and others, it is vital that we stand up with Israel, honoring its heritage and its right to live in freedom and peace.”
Other members of the Delegation include former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, and Professor Elie Wiesel. Hawai’i Governor Linda Lingle is the only local elected official, other than Gordon, to be included in the Delegation.
Gordon will also be part of a Phoenix Delegation to our Sister City of Ramat Gan, Israel, an international business and high-tech area. Mayor Gordon initiated the relationship between Phoenix and Ramat Gan.
While in Israel, Gordon will be looking at various economic development partnerships, solar energy and high-tech companies, homeland security, and Israel’s new light rail system. Several Israeli companies have expressed an interest in investing in and expanding operations in Phoenix.
Gordon has authored op-ed columns asking local officials from throughout the United States to stand firmly with Israel as it faces threats from Iran. The Mayor was recently named “Man of the Year” by the Arizona Chapter of Israel Bonds.
The Mayor will be sharing his thoughts and observations through his blog, accessible at mayorgordon.com and at azcentral.com.
All travel and expenses for the Mayor’s trip are being paid with private funds. No taxpayer dollars are being used.
