2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 18
BY SENATORS JOHNS AND ROBERT MILLS AND REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To recognize Tuesday, April 7, 2020, as the first annual "World Trade Day" at the state
capitol; to celebrate the longstanding, indispensable influence of international
commerce on Louisiana's economic health, vitality, and growth; to express support
for the mission of the World Trade Center of New Orleans; for trade policies that
benefit American consumers and businesses, and to ensure the United States remains
competitive in global commerce.
WHEREAS, Louisiana is home to the world's first World Trade Center, which
originated as the "International House" in New Orleans more than seventy-five years ago in
1943, and has since inspired a global network of over three hundred world trade centers in
more than one hundred countries; and
WHEREAS, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, a nonprofit organization, is
committed to fostering economic development throughout the state of Louisiana by
advocating for international trade objectives that bolster efficiencies, opportunities, and
innovations for commerce; and
WHEREAS, having increased exports by sixty-one percent from 2008 to 2018,
Louisiana is the fifth largest state exporter of goods in the United States, and Louisiana
exports currently account for more than one quarter of the state's total economic output; and
WHEREAS, the latest available data from the United States Trade Representative
shows that Louisiana exports support an estimated 129,000 jobs and that such jobs pay up
to 18 percent above the national average; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana produces the majority of U.S. LNG exported globally, and
according to LSU's Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana LNG projects could total nearly
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 18 ENROLLED
$100 billion in capital investment and add 20,000 new construction jobs and 1,500 new
full-time jobs at Louisiana terminals once completed; and
WHEREAS, key economic-driving and job-creating industries in the state, including
aerospace, agribusiness, automotive, energy, manufacturing, and process industries, rely on
international commerce; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's geographical positioning allows the state to take unique
advantage of the Mississippi River to enhance competitiveness in global trade, making
current and future investment in the infrastructure of the Mississippi essential to continued
commercial success; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ports are among the highest-performing in the country, with
the following ports designated as national "power ports": Port of South Louisiana (No. 1),
Port of New Orleans (No. 4), Port of Baton Rouge (No. 8), Plaquemines Port (No. 11), and
Port of Lake Charles (No. 12); and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the tactical advantage of being the only state with a
deepwater port (Port of New Orleans) served by six of the seven Class I railroads, which
comprise a 132,000 plus mile network of track and tie the port community and local
industries directly to every major North American market; and
WHEREAS, the world recognizes Louisiana as a key trade and investment
destination for international companies, with the state attracting more foreign direct
investment per capita than any other since 2008; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana formally acknowledged the essential role of trade
in 2012 by establishing the Louisiana Board of International Commerce to advance the
state's competitive position in the global marketplace through continued attraction of foreign
and domestic investment and enhancement of the state's trade-based economy.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize Tuesday, April 7, 2020, as "World Trade Day" at the state capitol, celebrates the
longstanding, indispensable influence of international commerce on Louisiana's economic
health, vitality, and growth, and expresses support for the mission of the World Trade Center
of New Orleans and for trade policies that benefit American consumers and businesses and
ensure the United States remains competitive in global commerce.
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 18 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the United States Senate, the clerk of the United States House of
Representatives, each member of the Louisiana delegation to the Congress of the United
States, and the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Congress of the United States.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 3 of 3