HR80INTRODUCED Page 0 HR80 HGRYK68-1 By Representatives Shaw, Underwood, Lovvorn RFD: First Read: 18-Feb-25 1 2 3 4 5 HGRYK68-1 02/18/2025 evp (L)evp 2025-873 Page 1 First Read: 18-Feb-25 HR____ HONORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA ON MARCH 4, 2025. WHEREAS, the State of Alabama and the Nation of Japan are established partners in the global economy, with mutual trade in 2022 between Alabama and Japan reaching nearly $2 billion, including mineral fuel, aircraft, spacecraft, vehicles, wood pulp, paper, organic and inorganic chemicals, machinery, computers, vehicles, media equipment, ammunition, pharmaceuticals, and financial services; and WHEREAS, Japanese companies have invested over $20 billion in Alabama, making Japan the number one foreign direct investor in the state; 20,000 jobs have been created in Alabama, including 8,100 jobs since 2018, by investment from Japanese companies, which include Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, Incorporated, Protective Life, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Incorporated, Rheem Manufacturing Company, and Daikin America, Incorporated; and WHEREAS, in addition to being a regional ally, Japan is a key partner of the United States on the international stage, collaborating with our nation in many critical areas that include global security, development assistance, environmental protection, new energy technologies, supercomputing, critical materials, and space; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HR80 INTRODUCED Page 2 supercomputing, critical materials, and space; and WHEREAS, students at Alabama universities and colleges have been enriched by visits to Japan for study, including students from Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University, University of West Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Alabama, Auburn University, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Troy University, Talladega College, and Miles College; and WHEREAS, the people of Alabama and Japan have enjoyed rich and rewarding friendships and cultural exchange through sister-city relationships, including Birmingham-Hitachi, Anniston-Tatsuno, Tuscaloosa-Narachino, Dothan-Sakado, Mobile-Ichara, Montevallo-Echizen, and Birmingham-Maebashi; the Japanese Garden in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is recognized by the government of Japan as an official Japanese Cultural Center, and many Alabamians take a lively interest in Japanese culture through organizations such as Bonsai and garden societies, exhibitions, events such as the Sakura festival in Tuscaloosa, and the Japan-America Society of Alabama; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That on this day, March 4, 2025, we hereby honor the long-lasting friendship between the State of Alabama, this body, and the nation of Japan. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51