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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 225
BY REPRESENTATIVES GAINES AND PRICE
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to continue its
endeavors to foster international commerce and attract foreign direct investment.
WHEREAS, Act 687 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature
created the office of international commerce within the Department of Economic
Development; and
WHEREAS, the office of international commerce and the Louisiana Board of
International Commerce have developed a Master Plan of International Commerce which
indicates that Louisiana could produce thousands of jobs annually over the upcoming years
from increased trade and foreign direct investment; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan for International Commerce has been approved by the
House Committee on Commerce, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs, the House Committee on Transportation, Highways,
and Public Works, and the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways, and Public
Works; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is positioned as a leader in foreign direct investment in large
part due to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and its office of
international commerce's collaboration with local economic development organizations and
the effective promotion and utilization of the state's geographic advantages; and
WHEREAS, since 2008, the injection of new investment from international firms has
skyrocketed, resulting in the announcements of capital investment totaling more than thirty
billion dollars and roughly fifteen thousand new jobs; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 225
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WHEREAS, this growth in foreign investment doubles Louisiana's historic
cumulative foreign direct investment to more than sixty billion dollars and increases the
number of jobs directly supported by international firms to roughly fifty-seven thousand six
hundred; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has a strong tradition under many administrations of always
following through with its contractual commitments established pursuant to duly executed
cooperative endeavor agreements; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana welcomes foreign direct investment from any companies that
will follow the laws of the state of Louisiana and the United States government provided that
foreign direct investment from such companies has not been discouraged or disallowed by
the United States government, including but not limited to the United States Department of
Commerce, United States Department of State, or the United States Department of the
Treasury.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the House of Representatives of
the Louisiana Legislature that the Louisiana Department of Economic Development continue
its endeavors to foster international commerce, including the assertive attraction of foreign
direct investment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES