HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

58

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE governor to approve THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER STATE-PROVINCE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND THE PROVINCE OF HENAN OF THE pEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the State is actively seeking to expand its international ties and has an abiding interest in the developing friendship, goodwill, and economic and educational relations between the people of Hawaii and the people of Asian countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, as part of its effort to achieve this goal, the State has established a number of sister-state relationships with provinces in the Asian region; and

 

     WHEREAS, because of the historical relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China, there are significant reasons to promote international relations to achieve lasting peace and prosperity that serves the common interests of both countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, the People's Republic of China, one of the most diverse and populous countries in Asia, is recognized internationally as the future of economic development; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Province of Henan, with a population of over ninety-six million in 2015, is the most populous province in the People's Republic of China and presents a wealth of economic potential between Hawaii and Henan; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Province of Henan, as the fifth largest provincial economy of China and the largest among inland provinces, is considered the birthplace of Chinese civilization with over three thousand years of recorded history; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Province of Henan is located in the central part of the country, home to many world-famous historical relics such as the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes; and 

 

     WHEREAS, the Province of Henan has four seasons and does not have direct access to open oceans, which would provide a good opportunity for tourism to the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Province of Henan is thought of as a leader in education, and could provide opportunities for study abroad programs, summer school programs, and student exchanges with middle schools, high schools, and universities in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the first tier of major industries of the Province of Henan involves agriculture, including corn, rice, cotton, and oil plants; and

 

     WHEREAS, the second tier of major industries of the Province of Henan includes food manufacturing, farm and sideline food processing, fabric, machine building, and pharmaceutical industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, the third tier of major industries of the Province of Henan involves retail industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, the differences between the Province of Henan and the State can serve as the basis for a mutually beneficial relationship in which each party can benefit from the other's different strengths and needs; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is requested to authorize the establishment of a sister state-province relationship, as advised by the Hawaii Sister-State Committee, between the State of Hawaii and the Province of Henan of the People's Republic of China; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province of Henan be afforded the privileges and honors that the State extends to its sister states and provinces; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if by July 31, 2021, the sister state-province relationship with the Province of Henan has not reached a sustainable basis by providing mutual economic benefits through local community support, the sister state-province relationship shall be withdrawn; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Hawaii's congressional delegation, President of the People's Republic of China through its Los Angeles Consulate General, Governor and Provincial Board of the Province of Henan, the People's Republic of China, Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Chairperson of the Hawaii Sister-State Committee.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE-PROVINCE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII AND THE PROVINCE OF HENAN OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA