83R13851 BPG-D
By: Vo H.R. No. 1195
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas and Taiwan are celebrating the 25th
anniversary of their Sister State relationship in 2013, and to mark
this occasion, Steve Hsia is visiting the Capitol on April 11, 2013,
in his capacity as director general of the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in Houston; and
WHEREAS, Promoting mutually advantageous connections, the
Sister State relationship stems from the Sister Cities
International initiative created by President Dwight
D. Eisenhower; the program advances peace and prosperity through
cultural, educational, humanitarian, and economic development
efforts; and
WHEREAS, Texas and Taiwan initiated their Sister State
Agreement on June 13, 1988, and since that time, the resulting bonds
of friendship and goodwill have provided myriad benefits; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Texas exports to Taiwan reached $3.6
billion, representing more than a 40 percent increase over the
course of a two-year span; Taiwan ranks as our state's ninth largest
export market; and
WHEREAS, Major Texas exports to Taiwan include electronics,
chemicals, machinery, and petroleum and coal products; moreover,
Texas has attracted investment from many Taiwanese companies, among
them Formosa Plastics, Foxconn, Inventec, Eva Air, and Yang Ming;
and
WHEREAS, Under the direction of Director General Steve Hsia,
the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston promotes
exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, science,
technology, culture, education, and tourism; the office also serves
the interests of the many Taiwanese citizens living and traveling
in the area and provides consular services to those in need; and
WHEREAS, For a quarter-century, the Sister State
relationship between Texas and Taiwan has strengthened cultural and
economic ties, and the vibrant partnership it has fostered will
continue to enhance prosperity in the years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sister
State relationship between Texas and Taiwan and extend to Director
General Steve Hsia of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Houston sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and productive visit
to the State Capitol; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Hsia as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.