Bill Text: FL S0944 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Taiwan Relations

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-07 - Adopted, companion bill(s) passed, see HR 8043 (Adopted) [S0944 Detail]

Download: Florida-2023-S0944-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2023                             (NP)    SR 944
       
       
        
       By Senator Rodriguez
       
       
       
       
       
       40-02053-23                                            2023944__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution expressing appreciation for the sister
    3         state relationship and bilateral economic and cultural
    4         ties between the State of Florida and Taiwan.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, April 10, 2023, marks the 44th anniversary of the
    7  enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, which codified in law the
    8  basis for continued commercial and cultural relations between
    9  the people of the United States and Taiwan, and
   10         WHEREAS, since November 1, 2012, Taiwan has been a member
   11  of the United States Visa Waiver Program, which makes two-way
   12  travel for business and tourism more convenient, reflecting the
   13  cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, and
   14         WHEREAS, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25,
   15  2019, a joint United States-Taiwan collaborative space mission
   16  of a constellation of six satellites designed to enhance the
   17  accuracy of atmospheric weather prediction, has demonstrated the
   18  mutual benefit born of the relations between this country and
   19  Taiwan, and
   20         WHEREAS, the first female president of Taiwan, Dr. Tsai
   21  Ing-wen, elected in 2016 and reelected for a second term on
   22  January 11, 2020, was welcomed to this state in June 2016, as
   23  were the Speaker of Tainan City Council, Kuo Hsin-liang, and his
   24  delegation the following month, further enhancing the bilateral
   25  relationship between Taiwan and this state, as well as
   26  strengthening the common values that Taiwan shares with this
   27  country, and
   28         WHEREAS, Taiwan participates in international
   29  organizations, including its bid for observer status in the
   30  International Criminal Police Organization; its involvement with
   31  the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation
   32  Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on
   33  Climate Change; and its membership status in both the Asia
   34  Pacific Economic Cooperation and the World Trade Organization,
   35  and participates, observes, and cooperates with more than 50
   36  international organizations, and
   37         WHEREAS, as of October 2022, Taiwan was the United States’
   38  10th-largest trading partner and, between 2019 and 2021, was the
   39  State of Florida’s 8th-largest export destination and its 5th
   40  largest import source market in Asia, and
   41         WHEREAS, the economic bonds between the United States and
   42  Taiwan continue to flourish, and Taiwan’s inclusion in the Indo
   43  Pacific Economic Framework during 2023 and forging of a United
   44  States-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement would serve as the
   45  foundation for deepening the already significant trade
   46  relationship between reliable and like-minded partners, and
   47         WHEREAS, this year marks the 31st anniversary of the
   48  enactment of the sister state relationship shared between the
   49  State of Florida and Taiwan, and
   50         WHEREAS, several sister city relationships exist between
   51  Florida and Taiwan, such as between Miami-Dade County and New
   52  Taipei City, formerly Taipei County; the Port of Miami and the
   53  Port of Kaohsiung; the City of Orlando and Tainan City; the City
   54  of Fort Lauderdale, the City of Miami, and the City of Pensacola
   55  and Kaohsiung City; the City of Sunny Isles Beach and Hengchun
   56  Township; the City of Doral and the Xizhi District of New Taipei
   57  City; the City of Kissimmee with Hualien City and Miaoli City;
   58  the City of North Miami Beach and the Pingzhen District of
   59  Taoyuan City; and the City of Tavares and the Xindian District
   60  of New Taipei City, and
   61         WHEREAS, to assist the State of Florida in its fight
   62  against the virus causing COVID-19, Taiwan donated to the state
   63  and its local governments more than 420,000 medical masks and
   64  made a monetary donation of $300,000 for rescue, recovery, and
   65  restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian,
   66  demonstrating Taiwan’s commitment to helping its international
   67  partners in need, NOW, THEREFORE,
   68  
   69  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   70  
   71         That the Senate expresses its appreciation for the sister
   72  state relationship between the State of Florida and Taiwan.
   73         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   74  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to President Tsai
   75  Ing-wen through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami
   76  and to the Executive Office of the Governor as a tangible token
   77  of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.