H.R. No. 410

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Texas Technology Week is being celebrated February 13-19, 2011, to increase public awareness of the extraordinary achievements of the state's technology and life sciences industries and research institutions and the vital role they play in the prosperity of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, This worthwhile event is sponsored by TechAmerica Texas, the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, TechNet Texas, the Texas Coalition for Capital, and the Metroplex Technology Business Council; and

WHEREAS, The state's technology and life sciences industries and research institutions are revolutionizing the world in which we live through leading-edge advances in medicine, space exploration, computing, communications, energy, and transportation; within the state, 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 economy; and

WHEREAS, People around the globe have benefited immeasurably from medical treatments and devices developed by Texas businesses; the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, whose membership includes universities, private research institutions, and biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, helps foster the cycle of innovation that makes Texas a leader in the life sciences arena; and

WHEREAS, The life sciences industry generates a significant economic impact in the state, as companies and institutions purchase equipment and inputs and well-paid employees spend money in their home communities; the industry's total impact on Texas each year is estimated at $75 billion in economic activity, 236,000 jobs, $31 billion in payroll, and an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue for state and local governments; moreover, for every job created in the life sciences industry, another 2.3 jobs are created elsewhere in the Texas economy; and

WHEREAS, In the Cyberstates study conducted by TechAmerica, Texas ranked second in the country in high-tech employment, with approximately 492,400 jobs; moreover, 57 out of every 1,000 private-sector workers in the state are employed by high-tech firms; Texas placed 12th in the nation in terms of high-tech average wage, with that figure being nearly double the wage earned by the average private-sector worker, and the industry provides an aggregate payroll of $41.8 billion; the importance of this industry is further underscored by the fact that Texas is the nation's second-largest tech-exporting state, with more than one-fifth of its exported products originating in the tech industry; these exports total more than $35.8 billion each year, providing high-wage jobs for Texans in all parts of the state; and

WHEREAS, All sectors of the high-tech and life sciences communities 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 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 13-19, 2011, as Texas Technology Week and commend its sponsors for their outstanding efforts in promoting research, development, products, services, and manufacturing in the Lone Star State.

Shelton Pena J. Davis of Harris

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 410 was adopted by the House on February 16, 2011, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House