ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 19	By:	Stanislawski, Aldridge, Allen, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Boggs, Branan, Brecheen, Brinkley, Brooks, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Crain, Dahm, David, Ellis, Fields, Ford, Garrison, Griffin, Halligan, Holt, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Justice, Loveless, Marlatt, Mazzei, McAffrey, Newberry, Paddack, Schulz, Sharp, Shaw, Shortey, Shumate, Simpson, Sparks, Standridge, Sykes, Treat and Wyrick

A Resolution celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Sister-State relationship between Oklahoma and Taiwan; welcoming the Honorable Director General Steve Hsia to the Oklahoma State Senate; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan share an important relationship that is supported by our common values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and a commitment to a free market economy; and

WHEREAS, the State of Oklahoma and Taiwan initiated a Sister-State Agreement on July 25, 1980, have enjoyed the benefits of the bonds of friendship and goodwill since that time, and now prepare to celebrate their 33rd anniversary in 2013; and

WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's third largest trading partner and Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of the U.S.  Bilateral trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Taiwan reached $63 billion in 2012; and

WHEREAS, negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) between Taiwan and the U.S. are an important step towards strengthening bilateral trade and paving the way for entering into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between our countries, thereby increasing Oklahoma's exports to Taiwan and creating greater bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and trade facilitation measures; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. and the eight other Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries announced the achievement of the broad outlines for a 21st century TPP agreement on November 12, 2011, and Taiwan has expressed a keen interest in participating so as to forge close links among economies, enhance competitiveness, and benefit consumers; and

WHEREAS, Steve Hsia assumed his post as Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston on March 27, 2013, and he graciously visited the Oklahoma State Senate; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is now a member of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (effective November 1, 2012), reflecting the friendship, trust, and cooperation shared between our two countries, and making travel between Taiwan and Oklahoma for business and tourism even more convenient; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is recognized as a nation with exemplary economic and environmental progress, including substantial progress in the aviation industry for many years; and great advantages would result in Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the Sister-State relationship between Oklahoma and Taiwan.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate welcomes the Honorable Director General Steve Hsia to the Oklahoma State Senate.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Steve Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston.

Adopted by the Senate the 10th day of April, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________