a. On April 25, 1988, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, the State of New Jersey entered into a Sister State Agreement with Israel as a symbol of the potential for cooperation that exists between our two states; and

b. The agreement calls for the development of trade and cultural and educational exchanges, in addition to encouraging the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and

c. On May 31, 1989, the State of New Jersey established the New Jersey-Israel Commission as a temporary commission by Executive Order No. 208 of Governor Thomas H. Kean to enhance New Jersey’s ability to implement the stated goals of the agreement; and

d. The commission was continued by Executive Orders Nos. 35 and 90 of Governor James J. Florio through and including May 31, 1995; and

e. The commission was continued by Executive Orders Nos. 37 and 70 of Governor Christine T. Whitman through and including January 1, 2002; and

f. The commission was continued by Executive Order No. 12 of Governor James E. McGreevey through and including January 1, 2007; and

g. The commission was continued by Executive Order No. 49 of Governor Jon S. Corzine through and including January 1, 2012; and

h. The commission has effectively fostered a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the citizens of the State of New Jersey that should continue, on a permanent basis, in order to further the goals of the agreement.

L.2008, c.125, s.1.