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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Rudolf Simon Bekink, the Dutch ambassador to the |
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United States, is visiting the State Capitol on May 9, 2013, and |
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this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to commend him for his |
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achievements and to celebrate the vibrant trade relationship |
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between the United States and the Netherlands; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in the town of Assen, Netherlands, Ambassador |
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Bekink completed his master of arts degree in economics at the |
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University of Groningen in 1974, and two years later, he began his |
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distinguished career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; he was |
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posted to Greece, Angola, and the East Asia Division before joining |
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his country's embassy in Washington from 1982 to 1986; and |
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WHEREAS, Ambassador Bekink later served in Ghana and France, |
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as well as in positions in his home country; before becoming U.S. |
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ambassador, he served as ambassador to Sweden, Belgium, and the |
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People's Republic of China; he is the father of three sons, and in |
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August 2011, he formed a personal link to the Lone Star State with |
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his marriage to Austin business executive Gabrielle de Kuyper; and |
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WHEREAS, The Netherlands is the third largest foreign |
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investor in the United States, with more than $217 billion in direct |
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investment; in turn, our nation accounts for over $521 billion in |
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direct investment in the Netherlands; Dutch firms have created |
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nearly 350,000 jobs in the United States, and approximately 280,000 |
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additional U.S. jobs have been created by exports to the |
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Netherlands; and |
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WHEREAS, Both the United States and the Netherlands benefit |
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greatly from this dynamic and enduring trade relationship, and it |
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is indeed a pleasure to honor Ambassador Bekink at this time; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby welcome Ambassador Rudolf Bekink to the State |
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Capitol and call on all Texans to recognize the importance of the |
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strong economic ties between the United States and the Netherlands; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ambassador Bekink as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |