SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 765

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Texas State Partnership Program for its outstanding efforts at advancing cooperation between foreign nations and American states and to welcome the delegations from the Republic of Chile and the United States to the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The State Partnership Program seeks to link the National Guards of the various states with partner countries for the purpose of furthering mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships throughout all levels of society; and

WHEREAS, Partners in the program benefit from training opportunities through small-unit exchanges, fellowship-style internships, civic leader visits, and other events; and

WHEREAS, The Texas State Partnership Program is a well-established and vigorous program; one of the charter states of this important program, Texas has maintained an outstanding 16-year relationship with the Czech Republic and played an important role in its acceptance into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and

WHEREAS, Texas has much to offer the nation of Chile as a partner, including some 23,000 military personnel with valuable civilian skills in many areas, such as agriculture, technology, education, and manufacturing; with its extraordinary resources and exceptional populace, Chile would bring abundant assets to a partnership with Texas; and

WHEREAS, The Chilean delegation being welcomed to the Capitol today includes Ambassador José Mario Goñi Carrasco, Minister Counselor Matías Undurraga Abott, Undersecretary of War Gonzalo Garcia Pino, General de Aviacíon Javier Anabalón Quiroz, and Contraalmirante Roberto Macchiavello Marcelí; and

WHEREAS, The United States delegation includes Major General Jose Mayorga, Adjutant General of Texas; General Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Ambassador Paul Simons, United States Ambassador to Chile; Brigadier General David Garza, Chief of Staff for the United States Southern Command; and Brigadier General Darryl Burke, Vice Commander of the 12th United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, The Texas State Partnership Program is truly deserving of recognition for its work with the Czech Republic and its efforts to establish an effective relationship with the nation of Chile; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend the Texas State Partnership Program for its outstanding work in the effort to foster understanding between nations and American states and extend a sincere welcome to the delegations from Chile and the United States; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for these distinguished delegations as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Van de Putte

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate