Senate Resolution No. 1763

BY: Senator SEPULVEDA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 14, 2024, as Taiwan Heritage Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share
common values and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom and
democracy serve as the foundation for peace, prosperity, and progress;
and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act
(TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance
mutual security and commercial interests between the U.S. and Taiwan;
thereafter, the TRA and Six Assurances have served as the cornerstone of
U.S.-Taiwan relations and helped preserve peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait; April 10, 2024, marks the 45th anniversary of the
enactment of the TRA; and

WHEREAS, Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial to the
maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, and its importance
has been highlighted in recent global summits such as the Quad,
U.S.-Japan, U.S.-Korea, U.S.-EU, G7, NATO, and EAS summits; moreover,
Taiwan is an indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and stability
in the region; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate wishes to congratulate Taiwan on
its free and fair Presidential Election of January 13, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a close, long-term
economic relationship, including $116.95 billion in bilateral trade in
2023 through November, making Taiwan the 8th largest trading partner of
the United States; and

WHEREAS, The first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on
21st Century Trade was signed on June 1, 2023, which is conducive to
deepening the existing trade partnership and enhancing U.S.-Taiwan trade
flows to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for workers
and businesses; and

WHEREAS, The United States-Taiwan Education Initiative was launched
in 2020 to strengthen cooperation on international education and
highlight Taiwan's ability to provide Mandarin language instruction; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is a trustworthy partner in mitigating the impact of
natural disasters by providing disaster relief, humanitarian assistance,
and medical assistance; and

WHEREAS, the State of New York exported $1.20 billion worth of
products to Taiwan in 2023 through November, making it New York's 17th
largest foreign market, and bilateral trade and investment have created
more than 10,000 jobs in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered
in New York have invested in Taiwan, while more than 300 Taiwanese

companies have invested in the State of New York, contributing to a
mutually beneficial relationship; and

WHEREAS, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Legislation S.4329-A /A.3935-A
into law, allowing people to exchange their valid overseas license for a
New York driver's license if an agreement is reached with their
respective government. Taiwan has signed mutual driver's license
recognition pacts with 36 U.S. states since 2013; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas ethnic
Chinese community, including organizations such as the Chinese
Consolidated Benevolent Association, Taiwan Center, Taiwanese Chamber of
Commerce of New York, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York; these
organizations devote themselves to the harmony and development of the
State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this legislative body pauses in its deliberations to
proclaim May 14, 2024, as Taiwan Heritage Day in the State of New York;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; Tsai Ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan); and
James K. J. Lee, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Office in New York.