H.J.R. 10

1

RESOLUTION ON TAIWAN
2 2000 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Matt Throckmorton
5 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE EXPRESSING CONDOLENCE TO THE
6 CITIZENS OF TAIWAN FOR LOSSES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 21, 1999 EARTHQUAKE;
7 URGING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE HUMANITARIAN
8 ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF TAIWAN; URGING THE PRESIDENT TO SEEK A
9 PUBLIC RENUNCIATION FROM CHINA OF ANY POTENTIAL USE OF FORCE BY CHINA
10 AGAINST TAIWAN; AND AFFIRMING THAT TAIWAN'S FUTURE SHOULD BE
11 RESOLVED PEACEFULLY.
12 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
13 WHEREAS, on the morning of September 21, 1999, a devastating earthquake shook the
14 counties of Nantou and Taichung, Taiwan, killing more than 2,000 people, injuring more than
15 7,800, and leaving more than 100,000 homeless;
16 WHEREAS, the earthquake has left thousands of buildings in ruin, caused widespread
17 damage, and destroyed highways and other infrastructure;
18 WHEREAS, the strength, courage, and determination of the people of Taiwan has been
19 displayed since the earthquake;
20 WHEREAS, during Taiwan's last presidential election in 1996, the People's Republic of
21 China held provocative military maneuvers, including missile launch exercises in the Taiwan
22 Strait, in an attempt to intimidate the people of Taiwan;
23 WHEREAS, Taiwan will hold another presidential election on March 18, 2000;
24 WHEREAS, the state of Utah and the province of Taiwan have been sister states since
25 1986, and the people of Utah and Taiwan share strong friendship and mutual interests and respect;
26 WHEREAS, Taiwan has achieved significant political and economic strength as one of the
27 world's premier democracies and as the 19th largest economy in the world; and

28 WHEREAS, Taiwan is the seventh largest trade partner of the United States:
29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
30 expresses its deepest sympathies to the citizens of Taiwan for the tragic losses suffered from the
31 earthquake of September 21, 1999, expresses its support for the people of Taiwan as they continue
32 their efforts to rebuild their cities, and recognizes and encourages the assistance provided by the
33 state of Utah.
34 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the President and Congress to
35 provide means to assist the people of Taiwan to rebuild their nation and hold a free and democratic
36 presidential election in a peaceful and secure environment.
37 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the President to seek a public
38 renunciation from the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat of force, against
39 the people of Taiwan.
40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature affirms its expectation, consistent with
41 the Taiwan Relations Act, that the future status of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means
42 and that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should determine their own future.
43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature considers any effort to manipulate or
44 influence the future status of Taiwan by other than peaceful means a threat to the peace and
45 security of the Western Pacific region and of grave concern to the United States.
46 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports the long-standing
47 commitment of the United States, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, to safeguard the
48 security of Taiwan.
49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be presented to the delegation
50 from Taiwan, the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the
51 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of Utah's congressional
52 delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-27-00 2:57 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel