ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 40	By:	Brecheen,Jolley and Schulz

A Resolution celebrating the thirty-second anniversary of the Sister-State relationship between the State of Oklahoma and Taiwan; welcoming the Honorable Director General Daniel Liao to the Oklahoma State Senate; endorsing the proposition that Taiwan join the United States Visa Waiver Program and participate as observer in the International Civil Aviation Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and directing distribution.

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 thirty-second anniversary in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Liao assumed his post as Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston on January 16, 2012, and he graciously visits the Senate of the State of Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has extended visa waivers to the United States since 1993, and the American Institute in Taiwan announced Taiwan has been nominated for inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program on December 22, 2011; 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) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate hereby celebrates the thirty-second anniversary of the Sister-State relationship between the State of Oklahoma and Taiwan, welcomes the Honorable Director General Daniel Liao to the Oklahoma State Senate, and endorses the proposition that Taiwan join the United States Visa Waiver Program and participate as observer in the International Civil Aviation Organization and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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

Adopted by the Senate the 12th day of March, 2012.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate