HR 26 (LSB 2627YH (3) 86)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 26

BY  HIGHFILL and ABDUL-SAMAD

A Resolution recognizing the relationship between Taiwan and the State of Iowa and endorsing the signing of a bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States.

   WHEREAS, relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States, and in particular the State of Iowa with which Taiwan shares sister-city and sister-state ties, are marked by strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan seeks to contribute to greater regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region and further promote bilateral investment and trade relations with the United States; and
   WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade and paving the way for entering into a free trade agreement between our two nations thereby increasing Iowa’s exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives affirms its commitment to the strong and deepening sister-city and sister-state relationships between Taiwan and the State of Iowa, and endorses the signing of a bilateral investment agreement between Taiwan and the United States to increase exports and facilitate trade and investment with Taiwan; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to United States Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Illinois, and the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation.