HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	133
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

recognizing the cultural, educational, political, and economic relations between the people of hawaii and Istanbul, turkey.

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Turkey and the United States of America are long-standing allies that cherish the universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and

     WHEREAS, since 1947, the Republic of Turkey's alliance with the United States has demonstrated a commitment to world peace and liberty, as well as a tolerance of others regarding secular and religious issues; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Turkey, the world's seventeenth largest economy and Europe's eighth largest economy, is a valued trading partner with the United States, and is to be commended on its contributions to the global economy; and

     WHEREAS, on December 7, 2009, the United States and the Republic of Turkey launched a new cabinet-level initiative called the Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation to increase trade and investment relations; and

     WHEREAS, in 2010, Turkish exports to the United States totaled about $4,200,000,000, and United States exports to Turkey totaled about $10,500,000,000; and

     WHEREAS, the capital of the Republic of Turkey, Istanbul, is its largest city and the cultural, economic, and financial center of the country; and

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

     WHEREAS, it is the custom of the State of Hawaii to welcome all who come to our State, especially those who come in the interest of friendship and commerce; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State of Hawaii to further cultivate the mutually beneficial relationship between the State of Hawaii and Istanbul, Turkey; and

     WHEREAS, this body recognizes the value of maintaining beneficial relationships with our allies, and the contributions of our allies, including the contributions made by Istanbul, Turkey, 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 relationship between Hawaii and Istanbul, Turkey, and looks forward to building upon this friendship as well as promoting the cultural, educational, political, and economic relations between the people of Hawaii and Istanbul, Turkey; and

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

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Istanbul, Turkey; Sister State