By: Parker S.R. No. 85
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Texas and the United Kingdom have
enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership founded on shared
history, culture, language, and robust economic ties; and
WHEREAS, An official delegation from the United Kingdom
headed by British Consul General Sujeevan Satheesan is visiting
the State Capitol on February 11, 2025; and
WHEREAS, This special relationship dates back nearly two
centuries; Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas, was
the first Texas leader to send a diplomatic mission to London,
and a plaque on St. James Street still marks the site of the
legation of the Republic of Texas; in addition, the first British
Consulate in the State of Texas was established in Galveston in
1846; and
WHEREAS, The United Kingdom remains one of Texas's most
significant economic partners; it is the top source of foreign
direct investment in the Lone Star State, with subsidiaries of
British companies accounting for tens of thousands of Texas jobs;
every year, British households and businesses purchase billions
of dollars in services and goods from Texas, including petroleum
products, aerospace components, and medical equipment, among
others; major airlines connect Texas cities daily to the UK,
promoting commerce and tourism that bring our two peoples ever
closer; and
WHEREAS, Defense and security cooperation, including
longstanding ventures such as the F-35 fighter jet program based
in Fort Worth, highlights the shared commitment to peace and
stability; at the same time, the two partners look to the future
through collaboration on critical areas like innovation,
technology, advanced manufacturing, and a secure energy
infrastructure, especially as they seek to build resilient
supply chains and sustainable energy solutions; and
WHEREAS, Further underscoring the value of this
relationship, Governor Greg Abbott and The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch
MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United
Kingdom, signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation in March 2023;
through this landmark agreement, the Participants pledged to
deepen economic ties, promote trade and investment, foster
innovation, and coordinate efforts to bolster emerging
industries, showcasing a shared vision to cultivate job creation
and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic; and
WHEREAS, By supporting an open dialogue on trade and
commerce within state jurisdiction and advocating for greater
collaboration at all levels of government, Texas and the UK
demonstrate their continued commitment to working in tandem for a
stronger bilateral relationship; the friendship between Texans
and Britons, and fostered by ongoing cultural and economic
engagement, will continue to grow in the years ahead; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Legislature of the
State of Texas hereby recognizes the vital importance of the
enduring and evolving partnership between the State of Texas and
the United Kingdom, commend all those individuals who have worked
and continue to work toward maintaining and strengthening this
remarkable friendship, and celebrate the recent signing of the
Statement of Mutual Cooperation as a testament to the lasting
bonds between Texans and Britons; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Consul General of the United Kingdom in Houston
and the British Ambassador to the United States in Washington,
D.C., as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.