Senate Resolution No. 823
BY: Senator SEPULVEDA
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 28, 2025, 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, 2025, marks the 46th 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 United States and Taiwan share a close, long-term
economic relationship, including $158.60 billion in bilateral trade in
2024, making Taiwan the 7th 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, 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 28, 2025, 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; His Excellency Lai Ching-te, President of the Republic of China
(Taiwan); and Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, Ambassador of the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in New York.
