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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texas and Taiwan are celebrating the 25th |
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anniversary of their Sister State relationship in 2013, and to mark |
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this occasion, Steve Hsia is visiting the Capitol on April 11, 2013, |
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in his capacity as director general of the Taipei Economic and |
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Cultural Office in Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, Promoting mutually advantageous connections, the |
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Sister State relationship stems from the Sister Cities |
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International initiative created by President Dwight |
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D. Eisenhower; the program advances peace and prosperity through |
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cultural, educational, humanitarian, and economic development |
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efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas and Taiwan initiated their Sister State |
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Agreement on June 13, 1988, and since that time, the resulting bonds |
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of friendship and goodwill have provided myriad benefits; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2011, Texas exports to Taiwan reached $3.6 |
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billion, representing more than a 40 percent increase over the |
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course of a two-year span; Taiwan ranks as our state's ninth largest |
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export market; and |
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WHEREAS, Major Texas exports to Taiwan include electronics, |
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chemicals, machinery, and petroleum and coal products; moreover, |
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Texas has attracted investment from many Taiwanese companies, among |
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them Formosa Plastics, Foxconn, Inventec, Eva Air, and Yang Ming; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Under the direction of Director General Steve Hsia, |
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the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston promotes |
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exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, science, |
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technology, culture, education, and tourism; the office also serves |
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the interests of the many Taiwanese citizens living and traveling |
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in the area and provides consular services to those in need; and |
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WHEREAS, For a quarter-century, the Sister State |
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relationship between Texas and Taiwan has strengthened cultural and |
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economic ties, and the vibrant partnership it has fostered will |
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continue to enhance prosperity in the years to come; 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 commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sister |
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State relationship between Texas and Taiwan and extend to Director |
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General Steve Hsia of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in |
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Houston sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and productive visit |
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to the State Capitol; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Hsia as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |