By Hunter of Taylor, Luna, Dukes, Serna              H.C.R. No. 142
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, In 1979 the governments of the United States of
    1-2  America and the Republic of China on Taiwan terminated their
    1-3  official diplomatic relationship; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, In the absence of official diplomatic relations, our
    1-5  two nations currently address one another diplomatically via the
    1-6  Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, an entity established by the
    1-7  government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and the American
    1-8  Institute in Taiwan, which is administered by the United States
    1-9  Department of State; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, The Republic of China on Taiwan has long been a
   1-11  friend of the State of Texas and has entered into a sister state
   1-12  relationship with Texas to underscore that friendship; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, In support of this friendship and in an effort to
   1-14  promote trade between the State of Texas and the Republic of China
   1-15  on Taiwan, the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan has
   1-16  provided to the Texas Department of Commerce office in Taipei rent
   1-17  subsidies valued at over $45,000; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan
   1-19  provides distinctive license plates to official representatives of
   1-20  the government of the United States serving in the Republic of
   1-21  China on Taiwan; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Vehicles owned by the Taipei Economic and Cultural
   1-23  Office in Texas and vehicles owned by official representatives of
    2-1  the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan are currently
    2-2  issued fee-exempt license plates reading "Texas Exempt"; now,
    2-3  therefore, be it
    2-4        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-5  does hereby direct the Texas Department of Transportation to issue
    2-6  fee-exempt license plates with the words "Foreign Organization"
    2-7  imprinted upon them to vehicles owned by the Taipei Economic and
    2-8  Cultural Office located in Texas and to employees of the Taipei
    2-9  Economic and Cultural Office who are official representatives of
   2-10  the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan.