Expressing support for the protection of COFA islanders residing in Texas, reaffirming their rights afforded under the Compacts of Free Association, and recognizing March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.

89(R) HR 559 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 559

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The United States has enjoyed strong relationships

with the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,

and the Federated States of Micronesia; and

WHEREAS, The Compact of Free Association Act of 1985

terminated U.S. trusteeship over the former Trust Territory of the

Pacific Islands and established the Federated States of Micronesia

and the Republic of the Marshall Islands as independent nations in

1986; in 1994, the U.S. established another Compact of Free

Association with the Republic of Palau; the agreements also outline

how economic assistance is administered to the nations by the

U.S. Office of Insular Affairs; and

WHEREAS, The COFA agreements are perpetual with a periodic

review of financial provisions; the most recent amendments to the

agreements were passed by the U.S. Congress, and they went into

effect on March 18, 2024; the amendments ensured that veterans

living in the COFA islands could access VA medical services, and

they restored and extended federal domestic services such as SNAP,

TANF, FEMA, and in-state tuition; the amendments also strengthened

U.S. Indo-Pacific influence by enhancing U.S. military presence in

the COFA nations; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 94,000 non-immigrant legal permanent

residents from COFA nations currently live in the U.S. and its

territories; of that population, approximately 5,000 live in and

contribute to the State of Texas and the United States as a whole

through various employment sectors, including technical and

professional fields; in addition, many COFA islanders serve in the

U.S. military and are stationed at bases in Texas; in 2019, the

Senate and the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas

Legislature adopted resolutions acknowledging the historical

significance of the COFA agreements; and

WHEREAS, Texas and the United States have benefited

immeasurably through decades of unwavering friendship with the

Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the

Federated States of Micronesia, and it is a pleasure to join in

recognizing the many contributions of Texas residents who trace

their heritage to the COFA nations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby express support for the protection of COFA

islanders residing in Texas and affirm their rights afforded under

the Compact of Free Association agreements; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby recognize March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.

Buckley

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 559 was adopted by the House on May

19, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 1, 4 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House