H.R. No. 463

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Texas Technology Week is being celebrated February 16-20, 2009, in an effort to raise awareness of the extraordinary achievements of the technology and life sciences industries and the vital role they play in the prosperity of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, The occasion is sponsored by TechAmerica, the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, TechNet Texas, the Metroplex Technology Business Council, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Coalition for Capital, and the Solar Alliance; and

WHEREAS, The state's technology and life sciences industries, as well as its research institutions, are revolutionizing the world we live in through cutting-edge advances in medicine, space exploration, computing, communications, energy, and transportation; these industries employ more residents of Texas than the oil, natural gas, and agricultural industries combined, and their high-wage, highly skilled jobs contribute to a diverse and growing statewide economy; and

WHEREAS, People around the globe have benefited immeasurably from medical treatments and devices developed by Texas companies; in fact, the life sciences industry employs more than 85,400 Texans at some 3,200 establishments, and continued job growth is expected for years to come; and

WHEREAS, According to the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, whose members include research institutions, regional economic development entities, and biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, one of nearly every 23 U.S. biotechnology employees worked in Texas in 2006; the institute also reports that the state's biotechnology-related patent growth is outpacing the national average; in addition, nine recipients of biotechnology-related Nobel Prizes, National Medals of Science, and National Medals of Technology and Innovation are based in Texas, and in 2007, the National Institutes of Health awarded more than $1 billion in grants to organizations in Texas; and

WHEREAS, TechAmerica, the nation's largest high-technology trade group, reports that Texas ranks second in the country in high-tech employment, with approximately 459,000 jobs; moreover, 56 out of every 1,000 private sector workers in Texas are employed by high-tech firms; the state ranks ninth among all states in terms of high-tech average wage, and the industry provides an aggregate high-tech payroll of $37.5 billion; the importance of this industry to Texans is further underscored by the fact that high-tech product exports exceed $35.9 billion and account for 21 percent of the state's international exports; and

WHEREAS, All sectors of the high-technology and life sciences community are joining together this week to discuss the major issues facing their industries and to affirm their support for a strong system of public and higher education, a critical factor in providing the highly skilled workforce on which these industries depend; and

WHEREAS, The technology and life sciences industries have become a tremendous engine of economic growth in the State of Texas, and the benefits of their research and production enhance the lives of people the world over; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 16-20, 2009, as Texas Technology Week and commend its sponsors for their outstanding efforts in promoting research, development, products, services, and manufacturing in the State of Texas.

McCall

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 463 was adopted by the House on February 18, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House