SR-589

07 LC 96 2699

Senate Resolution 589

By: Senators Johnson of the 1st, Williams of the 19th and Adelman of the 42nd

A RESOLUTION

Commending the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange program at Georgia State University; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, in 1992, Georgia State University and Georgia law enforcement leaders came together in a joint project to establish the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program; and

WHEREAS, the GILEE program is directed by Georgia State University Professor Dr. Robert R. Friedmann, a nationally known expert in the field of criminal justice and counter-terrorism; and

WHEREAS, one of the primary objectives of the GILEE program is to enhance cooperation between State of Georgia law enforcement leaders and the Israel National Police; and

WHEREAS, GILEE provides professional educational programs that facilitate the exchange of valuable knowledge between senior Israeli law enforcement officials and senior Georgia law enforcement officials with a focus on counter-terrorism; and

WHEREAS, in this post 9-11 period, it is essential that governmental agencies and countries share their knowledge and experiences to combat the immense threat of terrorism and increase public safety throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, since the program's inception, large delegations of senior Israeli law enforcement officers have visited Georgia and 14 delegations from Georgia have visited Israel, and specialized training within the GILEE program has included the exchange of bomb disposal agents between the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Israel; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment in 1992, GILEE has carried out 88 programs for 431 law enforcement executives from Austria, Canada, China, Florida, Georgia, Hungary, Indiana, Israel, Japan, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, GILEE provided 18 special briefings, seminars, and workshops on issues related to homeland security and conferences for more than 4,000 law enforcement and public safety officials representing agencies in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah; and

WHEREAS, the GILEE program provided valuable assistance in matters of anti-terrorism during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 2004 G-8 conference on Sea Island; and

WHEREAS, the GILEE program has established a network between Georgia law enforcement and the British Council of Atlanta to discuss and implement homeland security measures; and

WHEREAS, the GILEE program continues to serve the citizens of Georgia and the United States by focusing its leadership development efforts in the areas of homeland security and complex law enforcement operations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize the GILEE for its tremendous service to the law enforcement community in Georgia and around the world, commend its law enforcement exchange program with the Israel National Police, and heartily express their gratitude for GILEE's indispensable efforts in defending the citizens of this country from terrorism and other threats.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dr. Robert R. Friedmann.