| |
| |
|
|
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Ron Kirk stepped down as the United States Trade |
|
|
Representative on March 15, 2013, concluding four years of service |
|
|
as a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Kirk became the first African American to serve |
|
|
in that post when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2009; |
|
|
as the president's chief advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on |
|
|
issues concerning international trade, he led his office in |
|
|
developing and implementing a robust trade and investment strategy |
|
|
while establishing the United States as a conscientious voice on |
|
|
such issues as the environment and workers' rights; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Recognizing the impact of trade policy on job |
|
|
creation, Ambassador Kirk directed efforts to expand market access |
|
|
for American goods and services; he oversaw the implementation of |
|
|
bilateral free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama, |
|
|
the advancement of regional Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, and |
|
|
the productive engagement of the United States in the World Trade |
|
|
Organization; his accomplishments further include assisting small |
|
|
businesses seeking opportunities in foreign markets and |
|
|
strengthening intellectual property law at home and abroad; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A native of Austin and a prominent name in Texas |
|
|
politics, Ron Kirk served as Texas Secretary of State under |
|
|
Governor Ann Richards, and he was elected to two terms as mayor of |
|
|
Dallas in the 1990s; he subsequently forged a successful career as a |
|
|
partner in the international law firm of Vinson & Elkins, and in |
|
|
2008, he had the distinction of being named one of the "50 Most |
|
|
Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by the National Law |
|
|
Journal; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Ambassador Kirk holds a bachelor's degree from |
|
|
Austin College and a juris doctorate from The University of Texas |
|
|
School of Law, and today he practices with Gibson Dunn; he enjoys |
|
|
the support of a loving family that includes his wife, Matrice |
|
|
Ellis-Kirk, and his daughters, Elizabeth Alexandra and Catherine |
|
|
Victoria, as well as his mother, veteran Austin civil rights |
|
|
advocate Willie Mae Kirk; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Protecting our national interests in the global |
|
|
marketplace is an endeavor of vital import, and Ron Kirk may reflect |
|
|
proudly on the notable strides he made to ensure that American |
|
|
families and businesses can achieve prosperity now and into the |
|
|
future; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
|
|
hereby honor Ron Kirk for his service as United States Trade |
|
|
Representative and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
|
|
success and happiness; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Ambassador Kirk as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |