84R26262 BPG-D
By: Vo H.R. No. 2500
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The expansion of Taiwan's role in the international
community will enhance the important relationship between Taiwan
and the United States, which is supported by the common values of
freedom, democracy, rule of law, and a commitment to a free market
economy; and
WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd largest
trading partner, and Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of
the United States; bilateral trade in goods between the United
States and Taiwan reached $67.4 billion in 2014, and both nations
could make even greater economic gains through the establishment of
a bilateral investment agreement and a free trade agreement; and
WHEREAS, The close and dynamic partnership between Taiwan and
the United States could also be further strengthened by Taiwan's
inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as by Taiwan's
meaningful participation as an observer in the International Civil
Aviation Organization and in the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has demonstrated leadership and a commitment
to advancing positive international relations through its East
China Sea Peace Initiative, proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou; the
initiative calls for all parties to the territorial disputes over
the Diaoyutai Islands to exercise restraint, reduce tensions, work
jointly and peacefully to develop the region economically, observe
international law, and establish a code of conduct in the region
that the United States and the European Union support in principle;
this initiative fosters peace and stability by encouraging
political and economic cooperation and the establishment of a
framework in which all parties can participate in bringing
prosperity to a troubled zone; and
WHEREAS, On June 13, 1988, the State of Texas and Taiwan
initiated a Sister State Agreement, and since that time, the
resulting bonds of friendship and goodwill have benefited Texas and
nurtured closer economic and cultural ties to Taiwan; Texas exports
to Taiwan reached $4.11 billion in 2014, a 1.43 percent increase
from 2013; Taiwan ranks as Texas' 13th largest export market
worldwide and its 5th largest export market in Asia; and
WHEREAS, To facilitate investment and trade opportunities,
the Texas House of Representatives authorized the Office of the
Governor to open a Texas trade office in Taiwan by adopting
Amendment No. 29 to amend the House Committee Substitute for Senate
Bill 1 in Article I on April 4, 2013; moreover, in the following
year, the Texas Department of Public Safety entered into an
agreement with the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and
Communications establishing reciprocity in the issuance of
driver's licenses for Texas applicants living in Taiwan and for
Taiwanese applicants living in Texas; and
WHEREAS, The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston,
guided by Director General Louis Min-Jing Huang, promotes exchanges
and cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology,
culture, education, and tourism; in addition, the office serves the
interests of many Taiwanese citizens living and traveling in the
area, and it provides consular services to those in need; and
WHEREAS, The positive relationship long enjoyed by the United
States and Taiwan contributes to the prosperity of both nations,
and the Lone Star State has a strong interest in promoting even
closer ties in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Sister
State relationship between the State of Texas and Taiwan; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives support the
establishment of a Texas trade office in Taiwan and recognize the
benefits to business and travel created by the June 2014 mutual
agreement between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the
Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications on the
reciprocal issuance of driver's licenses; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives express its
support for the expansion of Taiwan's role in the international
community and specifically endorse the propositions that Taiwan
sign a bilateral investment agreement and free trade agreement with
the United States, join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and
meaningfully participate as an observer in the International Civil
Aviation Organization and in the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives commend
Taiwan and President Ma Ying-jeou for the East China Sea Peace
Initiative; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston as
an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.