Bill Text: TX HCR116 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Ambassador Ron Kirk for his service as United States Trade Representative.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Passed) 2013-06-14 - Signed by the Governor [HCR116 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HCR116-Enrolled.html
| H.C.R. No. 116 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Ron Kirk stepped down as the United States Trade | ||
| Representative on March 15, 2013, concluding four years of service | ||
| as a member of President Barack Obama's cabinet; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Kirk became the first African American to serve | ||
| in that post when he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2009; | ||
| as the president's chief advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on | ||
| issues concerning international trade, he led his office in | ||
| developing and implementing a robust trade and investment strategy | ||
| while establishing the United States as a conscientious voice on | ||
| such issues as the environment and workers' rights; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Recognizing the impact of trade policy on job | ||
| creation, Ambassador Kirk directed efforts to expand market access | ||
| for American goods and services; he oversaw the implementation of | ||
| bilateral free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama, | ||
| the advancement of regional Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, and | ||
| the productive engagement of the United States in the World Trade | ||
| Organization; his accomplishments further include assisting small | ||
| businesses seeking opportunities in foreign markets and | ||
| strengthening intellectual property law at home and abroad; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A native of Austin and a prominent name in Texas | ||
| politics, Ron Kirk served as Texas Secretary of State under | ||
| Governor Ann Richards, and he was elected to two terms as mayor of | ||
| Dallas in the 1990s; he subsequently forged a successful career as a | ||
| partner in the international law firm of Vinson & Elkins, and in | ||
| 2008, he had the distinction of being named one of the "50 Most | ||
| Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by the National Law | ||
| Journal; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ambassador Kirk holds a bachelor's degree from | ||
| Austin College and a juris doctorate from The University of Texas | ||
| School of Law, and today he practices with Gibson Dunn; he enjoys | ||
| the support of a loving family that includes his wife, Matrice | ||
| Ellis-Kirk, and his daughters, Elizabeth Alexandra and Catherine | ||
| Victoria, as well as his mother, veteran Austin civil rights | ||
| advocate Willie Mae Kirk; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Protecting our national interests in the global | ||
| marketplace is an endeavor of vital import, and Ron Kirk may reflect | ||
| proudly on the notable strides he made to ensure that American | ||
| families and businesses can achieve prosperity now and into the | ||
| future; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby honor Ron Kirk for his service as United States Trade | ||
| Representative and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued | ||
| success and happiness; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Ambassador Kirk as an expression of high regard by the | ||
| Texas House of Representatives and Senate. | ||
| Giddings | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 116 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 8, 2013, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 116 was adopted by the Senate on May | ||
| 21, 2013, by a viva-voce vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| APPROVED: __________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| __________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
