LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to advocate to
open up the shipping ports controlled by the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey, and to urge 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 led a trade mission and
traveled to the Republic of Cuba in 2015; and
WHEREAS, This was 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 is in a unique position as Governor to
persuade the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to open any ship-
ping ports it controls; 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 advocate for the opening of the ship-
ping ports controlled by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
to encourage exports of United States products to the Republic of Cuba,
and to urge 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.