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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Distinguished foreign ambassadors taking part in |
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the U.S. State Department's Experience America program are |
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visiting the State Capitol on May 14, 2013; and |
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WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Capricia Marshall, chief of |
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protocol of the United States, Experience America introduces |
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ambassadors posted in Washington, D.C., to cities and neighborhoods |
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across the nation, showcasing life in the United States outside the |
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Beltway; and |
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WHEREAS, The program helps to build relationships, encourage |
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investment and trade, and foster dialogue between the ambassadors |
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and government, business, cultural, and academic leaders in the |
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communities they visit; these interactions play a vital role in |
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strengthening the bonds between the United States and other |
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countries and encourage, in President Barack Obama's words, "new |
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beginnings based on mutual respect and understanding"; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the inception of Experience America four years |
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ago, members of the diplomatic corps have traveled to Alaska, |
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Atlanta, Arkansas, Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Wyoming; |
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these trips have yielded tangible results benefiting the United |
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States and countries abroad, including the development by Delta |
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Airlines of a direct flight from Atlanta to South Africa, the |
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signing of a memorandum of cooperation between a Lithuanian |
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business delegation and the Port of New Orleans, and the visit of an |
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Iraqi delegation to Chicago to discuss trade opportunities; and |
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WHEREAS, By sharing America's richly diverse cultures and |
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communities, Experience America provides the chiefs of diplomatic |
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missions a deeper understanding of our country's values, |
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traditions, and history, and it is hoped that as a result of this |
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program, the links between this state and the nations represented |
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here today will multiply and flourish in the years ahead; 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 these distinguished ambassadors to the |
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State Capitol and extend to them sincere best wishes for a most |
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rewarding and enjoyable visit; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared |
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for the ambassadors as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |