Expressing UK Friendship.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 778

Sponsors: Representatives Reives, Bell, Penny, and Greenfield (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
*H778-v-1*
A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO WORK MORE 1
CLOSELY WITH THE UNI TED KINGDOM ON TRADE ISSUES AND FOREIGN 2
INVESTMENT, EXPRESSI NG SUPPORT FOR THE U NITED STATES -UNITED 3
KINGDOM ALLIANCE, ST RENGTHENING FRIENDSH IP AND ECONOMIC TIES 4
BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH C AROLINA AND THE UNIT ED KINGDOM, 5
ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF BRITISH CULTURE ON NORTH CAROLINA, 6
AND REAFFIRMING THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN 7
THE STATE OF NORTH C AROLINA AND THE UNIT ED KINGDOM OF GREAT 8
BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND. 9
Whereas, North Carolina and the United Kingdom have enjoyed decades of friendly 10
and enduring relations, marked by robust economic partnerships, vibrant cultural ties, and shared 11
values that have strengthened the relations between the two regions; and 12
Whereas, North Carolina has enjoyed a rich cultural infusion from the United 13
Kingdom, which has led to the namesakes of our largest communities, including the City of 14
Charlotte in the County of Mecklenburg, named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen 15
Consort of Great Britain, and the capital of our State, Raleigh, named after Sir Walter Raleigh, 16
an English explorer who established the first English colony in North America at Fort Raleigh 17
on Roanoke Island, and whose eponymous city is locate d in the County of Wake, named after 18
Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of royal governor William Tryon; and 19
Whereas, North Carolina has more than a fourth of its one hundred counties and 20
numerous towns named after members of British Parliament, Lords Proprietor, Royal Governors, 21
and other notable figures of the United Kingdom that have shaped the governance and virtues of 22
North Carolinian society; and 23
Whereas, North Carolina has enjoyed a wealth of immigration from all portions of 24
the United Kingdom, shaping it s economy, culture, and communities from the colonial era 25
onward, playing a crucial role in the State's early development, cultural identity, and long -term 26
prosperity; and 27
Whereas, the United Kingdom currently stands as one of the largest originators of 28
foreign direct investment in North Carolina, with over $1 billion invested into North Carolina's 29
economy since 2014; and 30
Whereas, the United Kingdom is an important trading partner of North Carolina, as 31
the sixth largest export destination of the State, with over $2.5 billion in trade with the United 32
Kingdom; and 33
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Resolution 778-First Edition
Whereas, the United Kingdom has played an essential role in job creation in North 1
Carolina across various sectors, with 218 companies employing over 43,200 North Carolinians, 2
thereby contributing significantly to the State's employment and economy; and 3
Whereas, North Carolina has emerged as a premier destination for British investment 4
and ranks among the top US states selected by the UK as a beneficiary of foreign direct 5
investment, reflecting the State's favorable business environment, developed infrastructure, and 6
skilled workforce; and 7
Whereas, trade with the United Kingdom plays an instrumental role in North 8
Carolina's economic activity, enhancing prosperity and growth, and fostering mutually beneficial 9
exchanges of goods, services, and technologies, thereby solidifying the United Kingdom as a 10
vital trading partner and ally; and 11
Whereas, Governor Roy Cooper and British Minister for International Trade Penny 12
Mordaunt recognized the importance of the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and 13
North Carolina, signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Trade Relations 14
on July 15, 2022, to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy; and 15
Whereas, over 24,075 Brit ish expatriates currently live or work in North Carolina, 16
leading to the establishment of the British International School of Charlotte, opened in 2004 and 17
the fifth school opened in the United States by the British Schools of America; and 18
Whereas, four da ily direct flights now connect North Carolina with the United 19
Kingdom, including service from the Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh -Durham International 20
Airports to London Heathrow; and 21
Whereas, the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom has been a 22
cornerstone of global peace, stability, and prosperity, with both nations collaborating on 23
upholding human rights, advancing democracy, and addressing shared security challenges, while 24
also driving innovation, economic growth, and diplomatic efforts worldwide; and 25
Whereas, the democratic values championed by both the United Kingdom and the 26
United States, which serve as cornerstones of global order and collaboration, form the foundation 27
of the lasting friendship between North Carolina and the United Kingdom; and 28
Whereas, North Carolina remains committed to its friendship with the United 29
Kingdom and to the US-UK alliance and peaceful trade between the nations; Now, therefore, 30
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives: 31
SECTION 1. The House of Representatives recognizes the historic significance of 32
the friendship and alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom. 33
SECTION 2. The House of Representatives commends the people of the United 34
Kingdom for their remarkable achievements in promoting democracy, economic prosperity, and 35
international cooperation. 36
SECTION 3. The House of Representatives applauds the United Kingdom for its 37
continued partnership and economic cooperation with the State of North Carolina. 38
SECTION 4. The House of Representatives affirms the steadfast and enduring 39
friendship and cooperation between the United Kingdom and the State of North Carolina and 40
expresses its commitment to further strengthening these ties. 41
SECTION 5. The House of Representatives urges Congress to work more closely 42
with the United Kingdom on mutually beneficial trade relations to encourage increased 43
investment and collaboration between English and American companies in the economy of both 44
the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. 45
SECTION 6. The House of Representatives expresses to Congress full support for 46
the longstanding alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, which remains 47
critical for global security and prosperity. 48
SECTION 7. The Principal C lerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the 49
Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C., the British Consulate General in Atlanta, 50
Georgia, the UK Government Office in Raleigh, North Carolina, each member of North 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Resolution 778-First Edition Page 3
Carolina's Congressional De legation, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives 1
and the Secretary of the United States Senate, and the President of the United States. 2
SECTION 8. This resolution is effective upon adoption. 3