8402-S AMS WOJA S3165.1

SSCR 8402 - S AMD - 294

By Senators Wojahn, Gaspard, Snyder, Sellar, Newhouse and Prince

     On page 1, beginning on line 1 of the concurrent resolution, strike the remainder of the resolution and insert the following:

     "WHEREAS, The State of Washington in the United States of America and Taiwan have an extensive cultural, economic, and political relationship; and

     WHEREAS, The manifestation of these relationships can be found in the fact that more than seven and one-half billion dollars in trade was done between the State of Washington and Taiwan in 1993, and Taiwan is the fourth most important source of foreign tourists to Washington; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Washington has chosen to recognize the special nature of the relationship of the partners by the establishment of a Trade Office in Taipei; and

     WHEREAS, The benefits of a continued expansion of trade between the State of Washington and Taiwan include increases in trade-related employment and greater markets for the products of both states; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Washington and Taiwan have worked together to have officially sponsored exchanges in the fine arts, recreation, and political fields; and

     WHEREAS, Such exchanges provide opportunities for the people of the State of Washington and the people of Taiwan to benefit by gaining a greater appreciation for the history, fine arts, political institutions, and culture of each other;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the State of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the Governor of the State of Washington is requested to enter into a sister state relationship with Taiwan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Governor of the State of Washington is encouraged to continue to use the influence of the Office of Governor to promote increased trade, cultural exchanges, and tourism between the two sister states; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a Memorandum of Understanding between the states implementing the sister state relationship should identify an association within each state that will, at a minimum:

     (1) Sustain and enhance cooperation between the two states, with special emphasis on urban management and development, arts, trade, culture, and education;

     (2) For the State of Washington, establish a Trade, Investment, and Tourism Committee with representatives from the Governor's Office, the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, one or more public ports, the tourist and convention industry, the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, one or more economic development councils, and growers of exported agricultural products; and

     (3) For the Province of Taiwan, a similar committee may be established; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the associations and their committees shall have as members representatives of their respective business communities and other interested individuals and entities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the associations and their committees shall be led by officers to coordinate and energize their activities and raise and provide funds to pay the costs of government officials' activities in the furtherance of the goals of the associations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the officers and members of both associations shall endeavor to meet together as a group at least annually and will visit one another as frequently as schedules permit, with coordination guided through the exchange of annual work plans and budgets."

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