LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of Dr. Ma Ying-
jeou's Presidency of Taiwan

WHEREAS, May 20, 2010, will mark the 2nd Anniversary of Dr. Ma Ying-
jeou's inauguration as the 12th President of the Republic of China
(Taiwan); and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body passed a resolution (Senate No. 4906)
in March of 2008, congratulating the people of Taiwan for the successful
conduct of their fourth direct and democratic presidential election; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the
United States in the Asia-Pacific region; and
WHEREAS, President Ma has successfully enhanced mutual trust between
the United States and Taiwan since taking office; and
WHEREAS, Through cross-Strait dialogues and flexible diplomacy, Presi-
dent Ma has transformed the Taiwan Strait from a major international
flashpoint into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity for East Asia;
and
WHEREAS, The United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in the
World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer in May of 2009, and will
continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in other United
Nations-affiliated organizations; and
WHEREAS, President Ma took major steps to enhance Taiwan's rule of law
and protection of human rights by ratifying the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in May of 2009; and
WHEREAS, President Ma is determined to strengthening cooperation with
the United States in trade and investment, students and cultural
exchanges, tourism, scientific research and many other areas; and
WHEREAS, President Ma has expressed his hope that Taiwan and the
United States will sign an extradition agreement, implement visa-free
courtesies for Taiwanese travelers to the United States, and resume
negotiation on a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in the
near future; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a close and long-standing
economic relationship, including $61.6 billion of bilateral trade in
2008, making Taiwan the 9th largest trading partner of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, New York State exported approximately $1.5 billion worth of
products to Taiwan in 2008, making Taiwan the 8th largest foreign market
for New York State; and
WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered in
New York have invested in Taiwan, including IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citi-
group, MetLife, J.P. Morgan and New York Life, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a large and thriving Taiwa-
nese community, and has maintained a friendly and fruitful sister-state
relationship with Taiwan for many years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 2nd Anniversary of President Ma Ying-jeou's inaugu-
ration, and to express and record its strong commitment to a closer
economic partnership with Taiwan.