HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 138

(By Delegates Duke, Anderson, Andes, Ashley, Azinger, Border, D. Campbell, Carmichael, Cowles, Doyle, Ellem, Ellington, Evans, Gearheart, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Iaquinta, Ireland, Kominar, Lane, Lawrence, Longstreth, Mahan, Marshall, Michael, C. Miller, J. Miller, Nelson, Pasdon, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, R. Phillips, Poore, Romine, Rowan, Savilla, Shaver, Sigler, Snuffer, Staggers, Storch, Stowers, Sumner, Varner and Walters)

Reaffirming the sister-state relationship between the State of West Virginia and Taiwan Province of the Republic of China and affirming Support of Meaningful Participation by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as an observer in the international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    Whereas, August 4, 2011, will mark the thirty-first anniversary of a sister state relationship between West Virginia and Taiwan; this year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (Taiwan), a truly significant milestone; and

    Whereas, For the past thirty-one years, the sister state relationship with Taiwan has been strengthened through the efforts of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) resulting in better mutual understanding; and

    Whereas, The Republic of China (Taiwan), with a population of twenty-three million, has endeavored to improve cross-Strait relations since President Ma Ying-Jeou came to power in 2008, and it is encouraging that five rounds of talks have been held and fifteen agreements have been signed between Taiwan and mainland China since then; and

    Whereas, The cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), signed on June 29, 2010, can serve as an effective platform for cross-Strait interactions and contribute to normalization of trade and economic relations between Taiwan and mainland China; and

    Whereas, The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) invited Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly in 2009 and 2010 as an observer, setting precedents for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN’s specialized agencies; and

    Whereas, Taiwan’s absence from international organizations dealing with climate change, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has impeded Taiwan’s ability to respond to natural disasters, such as Typhoon Morakot, that struck Taiwan in the Summer of 2009; and

    Whereas, The Taoyuan International Airport is a key air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, ranked the world’s fifteenth largest by cargo volume in 2008, and three hundred sixty-five thousand Americans traveled to Taiwan for business and leisure during 2009, consolidating aviation safety and regulation in Taiwan also a priority for Americans’ safety and best interests; and

    Whereas, Given Taiwan’s prominent role in regional air control and transport services, such as meaningful participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) it would be beneficial for Taiwan to safeguard the traveling of passengers from home and abroad; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of the State of West Virginia:

    That it reaffirms the sister-state relationship of the State of West Virginia and Taiwan and affirms its support for the participation of Taiwan in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase Taiwan’s contribution to the global community; and be it

    Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.