HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	132
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

recognizing THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING A LASTING RELATIONSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP between the people of hawaii and Yerevan, armenia.

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America are allies that promote the universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and

     WHEREAS, in its alliance with the United States, the Republic of Armenia has demonstrated a commitment to transition from totalitarianism and a command economy to democracy and open markets; and

     WHEREAS, in October of 1992, the United States committed to a continuing partnership by adopting the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets (FREEDOM) Support Act; and

     WHEREAS, under the FREEDOM Support Act the United States has provided nearly $2,000,000,000 in humanitarian and technical assistance to the Republic of Armenia; and

     WHEREAS, on March 27, 2006, the United States and the Republic of Armenia signed a Millennium Challenge Compact that requires the Armenian government to make progress on mutually agreed upon policy performance criteria; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, after making a full switch to a market economy, the Republic of Armenia became the thirty-first most economically free nation in the world and increased trade with other European countries and the United States; and
     WHEREAS, with the establishment of the United States-Armenia Task Force, a bilateral commission, there is continuous review of the progress of trade agreements and business opportunities between the two countries; and

     WHEREAS, through cooperation and collaboration approximately seventy United States-owned firms currently do business in the Republic of Armenia; and

     WHEREAS, the capital city of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii and Yerevan, Armenia can further cultivate a strong, vibrant, and mutually beneficial economic relationship, with the prospect of future growth; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the value of maintaining beneficial relationships with our allies, and the contributions of our allies, including the partnership with Yerevan, Armenia and the value of our positive relationship with this ally; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that this body recognizes the importance of building a lasting relationship and friendship with Yerevan, Armenia and its people that promotes cultural understanding and political and economic relations of mutual benefit; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia; Mayor of Yerevan, Armenia; United States Secretary of State; United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Yerevan, Armenia; Sister State