HR0250 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0250 LRB096 12151 GRL 24426 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has established sister-state relations with Taiwan, an agreement signed by Governor Jim Edgar and Governor Dr. Lien Chan in 1992; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the State of Illinois enjoy a deep and longstanding partnership built on a shared dedication to freedom, democracy, and the market economy; and

WHEREAS, The quality of Illinois agricultural products has always been appreciated by Republic of China (Taiwan) importers and consumers; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan sent 24 procurement missions to the United States between 1978 and 2007, which have enhanced the mutually beneficial trade relations and permanent friendship between the two countries and has most recently resulted in the purchase of U.S. agricultural products worth U.S. $3.9 billion following the 2007 Taiwan Agricultural Mission; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Taiwan ranked as the seventh-largest export market in the world for U.S. agricultural products and the fourth-largest market for U.S.-grown corn; in addition, Illinois' overall exports to Taiwan are steadily increasing, with Taiwan ranked as the world's eleventh-largest market for Illinois' products in 2008, with exports to Taiwan valued at U.S. $1.385 billion, an increase of 8.8 percent from Illinois' 2007 exports to Taiwan (worth U.S. $1.274 billion); and

WHEREAS, The Taiwan government has invited delegations of leaders from the Midwestern state legislatures, including the State of Illinois, to visit Taiwan; through the efforts of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, the exchanges of qualified teachers of English and Chinese languages in each other's schools have been enhanced and the cultural performances, educational programs, and exhibits during Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month and Taiwanese-American Heritage Week have increased as well; and

WHEREAS, The Taiwanese community has been an important contributor to the State's economy as well as business and civic activities and are strong supporters of the relations between Taiwan and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The government of Illinois, including the Illinois General Assembly, has been a cordial supporter of Taiwan's appeal to participate in the activities of the United Nations, Taiwan's appeal to be an observer in the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization, and the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Taiwan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we reaffirm the State of Illinois' sister-state relationship with Taiwan and support the exchanges of all kinds that are mutually beneficial to both sides; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Director General Perry Pei-hwang Shen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago; His Excellency Dr. Tsai Hsung Hsiung, Governor of Taiwan Province of the Republic of China (Taiwan); and the Honorable Patrick Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois.