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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Ron Kirk stepped down as the United States Trade |
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Representative on March 15, 2013, concluding four years of service |
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as a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Kirk became the first African American to serve |
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in that post when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2009; |
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as the president's chief advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on |
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issues concerning international trade, he led his office in |
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developing and implementing a robust trade and investment strategy |
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while establishing the United States as a conscientious voice on |
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such issues as the environment and workers' rights; and |
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WHEREAS, Recognizing the impact of trade policy on job |
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creation, Ambassador Kirk directed efforts to expand market access |
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for American goods and services; he oversaw the implementation of |
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bilateral free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama, |
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the advancement of regional Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, and |
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the productive engagement of the United States in the World Trade |
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Organization; his accomplishments further include assisting small |
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businesses seeking opportunities in foreign markets and |
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strengthening intellectual property law at home and abroad; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Austin and a prominent name in Texas |
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politics, Ron Kirk served as Texas Secretary of State under |
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Governor Ann Richards, and he was elected to two terms as mayor of |
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Dallas in the 1990s; he subsequently forged a successful career as a |
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partner in the international law firm of Vinson & Elkins, and in |
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2008, he had the distinction of being named one of the "50 Most |
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Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by the National Law |
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Journal; and |
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WHEREAS, Ambassador Kirk holds a bachelor's degree from |
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Austin College and a juris doctorate from The University of Texas |
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School of Law, and today he practices with Gibson Dunn; he enjoys |
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the support of a loving family that includes his wife, Matrice |
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Ellis-Kirk, and his daughters, Elizabeth Alexandra and Catherine |
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Victoria, as well as his mother, veteran Austin civil rights |
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advocate Willie Mae Kirk; and |
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WHEREAS, Protecting our national interests in the global |
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marketplace is an endeavor of vital import, and Ron Kirk may reflect |
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proudly on the notable strides he made to ensure that American |
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families and businesses can achieve prosperity now and into the |
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future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby honor Ron Kirk for his service as United States Trade |
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Representative and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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success and happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ambassador Kirk as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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Giddings |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 116 was adopted by the House on May |
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8, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 116 was adopted by the Senate on May |
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21, 2013, by a viva-voce vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |