Expressing French Friendship.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 777

Sponsors: Representatives Reives, Bell, Huneycutt, and Ager (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Federal Relations and American Indian Affairs, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and
Operations of the House
April 7, 2025
*H777-v-1*
A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO WORK MORE 1
CLOSELY WITH FRANCE ON TRADE ISSUES AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT, 2
EXPRESSING SUPPORT F OR THE UNITED STATES -FRANCE ALLIANCE, 3
CELEBRATING CENTURIES OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN NORTH CAROLINA AND 4
FRANCE, STRENGTHENING FRIENDSHIP AND ECONOMIC TI ES BETWEEN THE 5
STATE OF NORTH CAROL INA AND FRANCE, ACKN OWLEDGING THE IMPACT 6
OF FRENCH CULTURE AND CENTURIES OF FRENCH IMMIGRATION ON NORTH 7
CAROLINA, AND REAFFI RMING THE BONDS OF F RIENDSHIP AND 8
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE FRENCH 9
REPUBLIC. 10
Whereas, North Carolina and France have enjoyed decades of friendly and enduring 11
relations, marked by robust economic partnerships, vibrant cultural ties, and shared values that 12
have strengthened the relations between the two regions; and 13
Whereas, North Carolina has been enriched by French cultural influences, as 14
evidenced by towns such as Bath, Beaufort, New Bern, and La Grange, which bear the legacy of 15
French Huguenots and settlers from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and by the city of 16
Fayetteville, named in honor of General Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La 17
Fayette, known to Americans as the Marquis de Lafayette, a French volunteer and ally in the 18
American Revolution, a steadfast friend of General Washington and America, and recognized as 19
an honorary citizen of the United States of America by the U.S. Congress in 2002; and 20
Whereas, France stands as an important originator of foreign direct investment in 21
North Carolina, with over $429 million invested into North Carolina's economy since 2013; and 22
Whereas, France has played a vital role in job creation in North Carolina across 23
various sectors, with 84 French firms employing over 15,500 North Carolinians, accounting for 24
more than 5% of job creation by foreign firms in North Carolina, thereby contributing 25
significantly to the State's employment and economy; and 26
Whereas, North Carolina has emerged as a premier destination for French investment, 27
with French firms achieving incredible success, marked by 32% growth over the past ten years, 28
reflecting the State's favorable business environment, developed infrastructure, and skilled 29
workforce; and 30
Whereas, trade with France plays an instrumental role in North Carolina's economic 31
activity, enhancing prosperity and growth, and fostering mutually beneficial exchanges of goods, 32
services, and technologies, thereby solidifying France as a vital trading partner and ally; and 33
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Resolution 777-First Edition
Whereas, France is one of North Carolina's largest trading partners, and fourth largest 1
export destination, with more than $3 billion in combined trade annually, with a 34% increase 2
from 2011 to 2021; and 3
Whereas, over 4,565 French immigrants live in North Carolina; and 4
Whereas, France and the United States maintain one of the oldest alliances in history, 5
with France providing decisive support for the United States' independence, negotiated with King 6
Louis XVI and his foreign minister, Charles Gravier, the Comte de Vergennes, by Benjamin 7
Franklin on behalf of the Continental Congress; and 8
Whereas, the United States provided support to France in World War I and World 9
War II against the forces of tyranny, with 2,501 American soldiers dying on the beaches of 10
Normandy on June 6, 1944, alone, 39 of whom were North Carolinians; and 11
Whereas, France and the United States' alliance, from its inception 247 years ago, the 12
longest such relationship between two republics, has been a wellspring for democracy, liberty, 13
and the rights of mankind for the entire world, and a steadfast partnership, co ntributing to 14
international and regional peace, stability, and prosperity; and 15
Whereas, these democratic principles, upheld by both France and the United States, 16
serving, as they do, as the essential foundations for international order and cooperation, form the 17
bedrock of the enduring friendship between North Carolina and France; and 18
Whereas, North Carolina honors the contributions of French forces, including the 19
Marquis de Lafayette's role, in securing independence for the United States of America, as a 20
foundational part of the U.S.-France alliance; and 21
Whereas, North Carolina remains committed to its friendship with France and to the 22
U.S.-France alliance and peaceful trade between the nations; Now, therefore, 23
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives: 24
SECTION 1. The House of Representatives recognizes the historic significance of 25
the friendship and alliance between the United States and France. 26
SECTION 2. The House of Representatives commends the people of France for their 27
remarkable achievements in promoting democracy, economic prosperity, and international 28
cooperation. 29
SECTION 3. The House of Representatives applauds France for its continued 30
partnership and economic cooperation with the State of North Carolina. 31
SECTION 4. The House of Representatives affirms the steadfast and enduring 32
friendship and cooperation between France and the State of North Carolina and expresses 33
commitment to further strengthening these ties. 34
SECTION 5. The House of Representatives urges Congress to work more closely 35
with France on mutually beneficial trade relations to encourage increased investment and 36
collaboration between French and American companies in the economy of both the United States 37
and France, respectively. 38
SECTION 6. The House of Representatives expresses to Congress full support for 39
the longstanding alliance between the United States of America and France, which remains 40
essential for global security and prosperity. 41
SECTION 7. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the 42
Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., the Honorary Consuls of France to the U.S. Southeast 43
in Atlanta, Georgia, each member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation, the Clerk of the 44
United States House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate, and the 45
President of the United States. 46
SECTION 8. This resolution is effective upon adoption. 47