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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The expansion of Taiwan's role in the international |
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community will enhance the important relationship between Taiwan |
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and the United States, which is supported by common values of |
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freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a commitment to a free |
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market economy; and |
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WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's third largest |
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trading partner, and Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of |
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the United States; in 2012, bilateral trade in goods and services |
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between the two nations reached $63 billion; Taiwan is the largest |
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per capita importer of U.S. farm products in the world; and |
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WHEREAS, Taiwan has been granted membership in the U.S. Visa |
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Waiver Program, reflecting the friendship, trust, and cooperation |
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shared between our two countries; moreover, Taiwan is recognized |
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for its exemplary economic and environmental progress; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the past quarter-century, Texas has benefited |
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from economic and cultural ties to Taiwan that are nurtured by a |
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vibrant Sister State relationship; our state's exports to Taiwan |
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were valued at more than $3.6 billion in 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, Greater participation by Taiwan in international |
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agreements and organizations will contribute immeasurably to its |
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prosperity, thereby heightening the synergies created through the |
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close and dynamic commercial partnership between Taiwan and the |
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United States; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its support for the expansion of |
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Taiwan's role in the international community; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives specifically |
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endorse the propositions that Taiwan: |
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● sign the Bilateral Investment Agreement; |
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● sign the Free Trade Agreement with the United |
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States; |
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● participate as an observer in the International |
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Civil Aviation Organization; |
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● participate in the United Nations Framework |
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Convention on Climate Change; and |
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● join the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston as |
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an expression of the sentiment of the Texas House of |
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Representatives. |