Bill Text: GA HR715 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: China Day at the state capitol; March 17, 2009; recognize

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-03-20 - House Read and Adopted [HR715 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HR715-Introduced.html

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09 LC 94 1055

House Resolution 715

By: Representatives Byrd of the 20th, Greene of the 149th, Wilkinson of the 52nd, Hill of the 21st, Anderson of the 117th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Expressing cultural, economic, and educational cooperation with the People's Republic of China and recognizing March 17, 2009, as China Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, there is a bond of friendship between the citizens of Georgia and China, and the people of Georgia welcome opportunities to grow our already deep relationship at all levels including cultural, academic, and business; and

WHEREAS, Delta Air Lines provides daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to Shanghai which will have a great economic impact on the southeastern United States; and

WHEREAS, through April 26, 2009, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta is hosting The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army, a once in a lifetime exhibition which includes more than 120 objects, some of which are new discoveries, and includes 23 life-size figures of warriors, horses, and government officials — the largest grouping of these objects China has ever loaned; and

WHEREAS, several Georgia cities have begun formal activity to finalize Sister City relationships with numerous cities in China; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is proud that Georgia based companies such as the Coca-Cola Company, United Parcel Service, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Inter-Continental Hotels, John Portman & Associates, CNN, AJC International, Inc., GE Energy, Char-Broil, Concurrent Computer Corporation, and Micrometrics have operations in China; and

WHEREAS, celebrating 31 years of successful Chinese economic reform since 1978, Georgia is proud that a growing number of Chinese companies such as COSCO North America, Kingwasong LLC, Yat Ming USA, Inc., Ecotech Machinery, Inc., SANY AMERICA, General Protecht, and New West International, Inc. have operations in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the China Governance and Development Program of the International Center for Democratic Governance with the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia foster strong ties between Georgia and China by providing governmental training and technical assistance to visiting delegations of Chinese officials on an annual basis; and

WHEREAS, Kennesaw State University is home to the China Research Center, the SINO-American Education Consortium, the Center for International Programs, and the Chinese Proficiency Testing Center; and

WHEREAS, many other Georgia colleges and universities also have ties with China, among them Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, and Valdosta State University; and

WHEREAS, approximately 1,500 Chinese students study in Georgia universities, 140 Chinese faculty members work in Georgia's universities, and hundreds of students from Georgia have participated in numerous study abroad and student exchange programs with Chinese universities; and

WHEREAS, China is a top destination for Georgia exports, including paper, food products, minerals, ore, nonmetallic mineral products, forestry products, textiles, and textile mill products; and

WHEREAS, Georgia imports products and goods from China through the Savannah Customs District with top imports including industrial and electrical machinery, furniture, toys, games, iron and steel products, and plastics; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Ports Authority and the Shanghai International Port Group signed an agreement to promote jointly all-water shipping routes and trade opportunities between Shanghai and the Port of Savannah; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is proud to be home to the Georgia China Alliance, the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Chinese Americans, the Chinese Business Association of Atlanta, the Association of Chinese Professionals, the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta, and the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body hereby recognize the special friendship between Georgia and the People's Republic of China and express our appreciation to Her Excellency Qiao Hong, the Consul General of China, Houston Consulate, for her efforts to promote peace and grow commercial, cultural, and educational ties between our two nations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize March 17, 2009, as China Day at the state capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Her Excellency Qiao Hong.