Support of Taiwan.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL HOUSE
JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
0001

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2014 BUDGET SESSION

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress
to support Taiwan
's
participation in ap
propriate international organizations and to resume free trade talks with Taiwan.

WHEREAS, Taiwan, the United States, and in particular the State of Wyoming share a historical and close relationship marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchange, and tourism; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan shares with the United States and the State of Wyoming the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law; and

WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's third largest trading partner, Taiwan is the tenth largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade reached $67.2 billion in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the State of Wyoming have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the prospect of further growth; and

WHEREAS, the United States on November 1, 2012, officially included Taiwan in its Visa Waiver Program, allowing Taiwan's citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of ninety (90) days or less without being required to obtain a visa, and the program will increase tourism and business between Taiwan and the United States, particularly Wyoming, with the prospect of
thirty percent (
30%
)
to
forty percent (
40%
)
growth of Taiwanese travelers to the United States in 2013, rising from
four hundred thousand (
400,000
)
Taiwanese travelers in 2011; and

WHEREAS, the issue of U.S. beef exports to Taiwan has been settled, and the resumption of trade talks on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and the United States will not only help to forge a closer relationship but will also create greater benefits and well-being for the State of Wyoming and boost Taiwan's chances to enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and

WHEREAS, President Ma Ying-jeou has worked tirelessly to uphold democratic principles in Taiwan
,
ensure the prosperity of Taiwan's
twenty-three
million citizens, promote Taiwan's international standing as a responsible member of the international community, increase participation in international organizations, dispatch humanitarian missions abroad and further improve relations between the United States and Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan, as a willing and contributing member of the world community, has made countless contributions of technical and financial assistance in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters worldwide.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

That Wyoming reaffirms its commitment to the strong and deepening relationship between Taiwan and the State of Wyoming.

Section 2.

That Wyoming supports Taiwan's appropriate participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of Taiwan.

Section 3.

That Wyoming welcomes the resumption of trade talks on the Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement, welcomes the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and the United States in the process of closer economic integration, and supports Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Section
4
.

That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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