82R8543 JBA-F
By: Shelton H.R. No. 410
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas Technology Week is being celebrated February
13-19, 2011, to increase public awareness of the extraordinary
achievements of the state's technology and life sciences industries
and research institutions and the vital role they play in the
prosperity of the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, This worthwhile event is sponsored by TechAmerica
Texas, the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, TechNet
Texas, the Texas Coalition for Capital, and the Metroplex
Technology Business Council; and
WHEREAS, The state's technology and life sciences industries
and research institutions are revolutionizing the world in which we
live through leading-edge advances in medicine, space exploration,
computing, communications, energy, and transportation; within the
state, these industries employ more residents of Texas than the
oil, natural gas, and agricultural industries combined, and their
high-wage, highly skilled jobs contribute to a diverse and growing
economy; and
WHEREAS, People around the globe have benefited immeasurably
from medical treatments and devices developed by Texas businesses;
the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, whose membership
includes universities, private research institutions, and
biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, helps
foster the cycle of innovation that makes Texas a leader in the life
sciences arena; and
WHEREAS, The life sciences industry generates a significant
economic impact in the state, as companies and institutions
purchase equipment and inputs and well-paid employees spend money
in their home communities; the industry's total impact on Texas
each year is estimated at $75 billion in economic activity, 236,000
jobs, $31 billion in payroll, and an estimated $2 billion in annual
revenue for state and local governments; moreover, for every job
created in the life sciences industry, another 2.3 jobs are created
elsewhere in the Texas economy; and
WHEREAS, In the Cyberstates study conducted by TechAmerica,
Texas ranked second in the country in high-tech employment, with
approximately 492,400 jobs; moreover, 57 out of every 1,000
private-sector workers in the state are employed by high-tech
firms; Texas placed 12th in the nation in terms of high-tech average
wage, with that figure being nearly double the wage earned by the
average private-sector worker, and the industry provides an
aggregate payroll of $41.8 billion; the importance of this industry
is further underscored by the fact that Texas is the nation's
second-largest tech-exporting state, with more than one-fifth of
its exported products originating in the tech industry; these
exports total more than $35.8 billion each year, providing
high-wage jobs for Texans in all parts of the state; and
WHEREAS, All sectors of the high-tech and life sciences
communities are joining together this week to discuss the major
issues facing their industries and to affirm their support for a
strong system of public and higher education, a critical factor in
providing the highly skilled workforce on which these industries
depend; and
WHEREAS, The technology and life sciences industries have
become a tremendous engine of economic growth in the State of Texas,
and the benefits of their research and production enhance the lives
of people the world over; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 13-19, 2011, as Texas
Technology Week and commend its sponsors for their outstanding
efforts in promoting research, development, products, services,
and manufacturing in the Lone Star State.