Bill Text: IN HR0074 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Congratulating Taiwan on inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-08 - First reading: adopted voice vote [HR0074 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HR0074-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION congratulating the Republic of
China (Taiwan) on its inclusion in the United States Visa
Waiver Program, supporting Taiwan's efforts to secure entry
into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), to achieve greater
regional economic integration, reaffirming support for
increasing Taiwan's international space, and for strengthening
and expanding sister-state ties between Indiana and Taiwan.
Whereas, The Republic of China (Taiwan), having marked its centennial in 2011 and entering its second century in 2012 as the world's 19th largest economy, has achieved economic and social stability, and in the last two decades has been lauded as a beacon of democracy for Asia, has dramatically improved its record on human rights, and has taken great steps forward to enter the world arena as a trusted partner;
Whereas, Last fall, Taiwan gained membership in the United States Visa Waiver Program and, beginning November 1, 2012, became the 37th country to receive visa-free travel privileges to the United States and only the fifth Asian country with visa-free status, behind Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Brunei;
Whereas, As a result, more Taiwanese will come to the
United States for business and tourism, increasing spending of
tourist dollars and facilitating business, trade, and investment
in the United States, thus contributing to the United States and
local economies and strengthening bilateral relations and ties
with the individual states, including Indiana;
Whereas, In 2011, Taiwan ranked as the United States'
10th largest trading partner in the world, serving as the United
States' 15th largest export market overall, and the sixth largest
market for U.S. agricultural goods, as well as the 21st largest
market for Indiana goods, worth $218.2 million in 2011, an
increase of 11% above Indiana's exports to Taiwan in 2010,
and its imports of such goods continues to contribute to
Indiana's economy since the September 2011 visit of the Taiwan
Agricultural Goodwill Mission to the United States, which
included a delegation visit to Marion County and signing of
Letters of Intent for Indiana-grown corn and soybeans through
2013;
Whereas, The Taiwan government has undertaken a policy
of "flexible diplomacy" in its international relations and a
pragmatic approach to China, having completed a number of
cross-strait liberalization measures, including regular, direct
passenger flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait
and the negotiation and passage in 2010 of a landmark
free-trade agreement with China and other goodwill measures,
resulting in reciprocal gestures and rapprochement between
Taipei and Beijing;
Whereas, The United States and Taiwan have recently resumed bilateral talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which may eventually lead to a possible United States-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement;
Whereas, Since 2001, aviation safety has become a major global concern; and
Whereas, Taiwan is a key air transport hub in the
Asia-Pacific region, with more than one million flights passing
through the Taipei Flight Information Region, and has one of
the world's largest airports by cargo volume, Taoyuan
International Airport, yet Taiwan is not a member of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives congratulates the Republic of China (Taiwan) on gaining inclusion in the United States Visa Waiver Program as of November 1, 2012, and supports Taiwan's efforts to secure entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), along with the United States and other friendly Asia-Pacific Rim countries.
SECTION 2. That the Indiana House of Representatives promotes bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States, and reaffirms its support for the participation of Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other international organizations to increase Taiwan's international space and contribution to the global community, and support for strengthening Indiana-Taiwan sister-state relations, friendship, and exchanges between our state and Taiwan.
SECTION 3. That the Principal Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit a copy of this resolution to United States Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary General Raymond Benjamin of the ICAO, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Illinois.
HR 1574/DI 84
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