LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL S.J.R. 13
6 Approved for Filing: R. Oakey-Frost 6
6 01-26-24 8:57 AM 6
1 JOINT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING FRIENDSHIP AND
2 SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN
3 2024 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Jerry W Stevenson
6 House Sponsor: Candice B. Pierucci
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution expresses support for the continued friendship between Utah and
11 Taiwan.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 < highlights the long-standing friendship between Utah and Taiwan;
15 < supports a continuation of the Utah and Taiwan friendship;
16 < supports deepening the religious, economic, educational, and cultural partnership
17 between Utah and Taiwan; and
18 < encourages global organizations to admit Taiwan into their membership.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has developed a strong relationship with Taiwan based
24 on shared values including a commitment to religious freedom, democracy, human rights, the
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25 rule of law, and a free market economy;
26 WHEREAS, this relationship began in 1956 when the Church of Jesus Christ of
27 Latter-day Saints, which is headquartered in Utah, dispatched the first four missionaries as a
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28 friendly exchange between the Taiwanese people and Utahns;
29 WHEREAS, by 2024, more than 43,000 Latter-day Saint missionaries have served in
30 Taiwan;
31 WHEREAS, in 1980, Utah and Taiwan established a formal sister-state relationship,
32 deepening the cultural exchanges between Utah and Taiwan;
33 WHEREAS, today, approximately 1,200 foreign-born Taiwanese people live and work
34 in Utah, lending their support to Utah communities;
35 WHEREAS, Taiwan is Utah's fifth-largest trading partner and sixth-largest export
36 destination, with Utah exporting more than $650 million in goods to Taiwan in 2020, including
37 electronics, food, chemicals, and machinery;
38 WHEREAS, Taiwan is the first country to enter into the Driver License Reciprocity
39 Agreement with Utah;
40 WHEREAS, because of the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement, people with a
41 driver license from Utah can now drive when visiting Taiwan and people with a driver license
42 from Taiwan can drive when visiting Utah;
43 WHEREAS, the Driver License Reciprocity Agreement will benefit both Utah and
44 Taiwan, resulting in a stronger relationship, politically and economically, while increasing the
45 ease of foreign citizens doing business in Utah;
46 WHEREAS, during the 2020 General Session, the Legislature passed a law
47 incentivizing public universities to work with industry leaders, in creating multi-disciplinary
48 programs;
49 WHEREAS, these multi-disciplinary programs prepare the workforce for scientific
50 discoveries and engineering innovations;
51 WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in these programs mutually benefit the people of
52 Utah and Taiwan;
53 WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation and contributions in international organizations and
54 agreements such as the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, the
55 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the World Health Assembly, the
56 International Civil Aviation Organization, and other organizations greatly benefit Utahns and
57 all Americans; and
58 WHEREAS, 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, a
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59 foundation upon which the United States and particularly Utah, has maintained and
60 strengthened its economic and cultural ties with Taiwan:
61 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
62 supports strengthening the existing friendship with Taiwan on religious, economic, and cultural
63 grounds.
64 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature emphasizes the importance of the
65 collaborative relationship between the United States, Utah, and Taiwan in the technology
66 sector, higher education, and elsewhere.
67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages Utah's federal
68 delegation to continue strengthening Utah and the United States' relationship with Taiwan, and
69 continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and
70 agreements.
71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
72 congressional delegation and the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in San Francisco.
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