LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to open up the
shipping ports controlled by the Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey, and to direct the Commissioners on the Port Authority to begin
exploring the opening of the shipping ports for authorized exports to
the Republic of Cuba

WHEREAS, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced he will
lead a trade mission and travel to the Republic of Cuba in 2015; and
WHEREAS, This is a significant and important step to open up markets
for New York businesses, and to send a message of friendship and support
to the Cuban people; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has exercised his constitutional
authority over United States foreign policy and has determined it is in
the best interest, both strategically and nationally, to restore full
diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Cuba;
and
WHEREAS, There are still barriers to overcome, such as the United
States Trade Embargo on Cuba, which must be lifted by an Act of Congress
before full and open trade can occur with the Republic of Cuba; and
WHEREAS, Also, Governor Cuomo has the power to open shipping ports
controlled by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which are
not yet open; and
WHEREAS, For New York businesses to be competitive and win contracts
for the sale of New York based agricultural, medical, and telecommuni-
cations products to the Republic of Cuba will require the State of New
York to be price competitive with other states which have ports opened
to ship permitted products to the Republic of Cuba; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
urge Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to open up the shipping ports controlled
by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to authorize exports of
United States products to the Republic of Cuba, and to direct the
Commissioners on the Port Authority to begin exploring the opening of
the shipping ports for authorized exports to the Republic of Cuba and
conduct public hearings on its economic benefits to the State of New
York and the northeast region of the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.