85R9086 RMA-D
By: Lucio S.C.R. No. 22
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Trade between Texas and Mexico plays a vital role in
the economic prosperity of the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Texas sends about 36 percent of the
state's total exports to Mexico, and in 2015, exports to Mexico
totaled nearly $92.5 million; goods exported to Mexico include
computer and electronic products, petroleum and coal products,
chemicals, machinery, and transportation equipment, all of which
are produced by industries that supply hundreds of thousands of
jobs to the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Since the ratification of the North American Free
Trade Agreement in 1994, the export of U.S. goods to Mexico has
risen 325 percent, while imports into the United States from Mexico
have increased 458 percent; in 2012, Americans spent $277.5 billion
for goods from Mexico, and Mexico is America's third-largest
supplier of oil, after Canada and Saudi Arabia; additionally,
nearly half of the tomatoes and two-thirds of the mangoes consumed
in the United States come from Mexico; and
WHEREAS, The importance of this trade to Texas border cities,
including Brownsville, Hidalgo, Laredo, and El Paso, is tremendous,
and disruption to international commerce would be economically
devastating; by placing a priority on working with the natural
landscape of the area and building barriers such as levees, the
federal government could preserve the immeasurable benefits of the
healthy trade environment while protecting the border; and
WHEREAS, Mexico is the largest trading partner of Texas and
the third-largest of the United States, and it is imperative that
our federal government take proactive steps to strengthen ties with
Mexico and build bridges of economic opportunity that will benefit
Texas and the entire nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby urge the United States Congress to recognize the importance
of trade between Texas and Mexico and foster international
commerce; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Congress and federal agencies focus border
efforts on working within the natural landscape of the region
instead of obstructing trade with a border wall; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.