H.C.R. 2 Enrolled

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING HISTORIC
2 AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CANADA,
3 THE UNITED STATES, AND UTAH
4 2012 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy
7 Senate Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes the
12 relationship between the state of Utah and Canada and between the United States and
13 Canada.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . recognizes the unique and important relationship between the state of Utah and
17 Canada and between the United States and Canada; and
18 . honors Canada's contributions as our partner in energy, economic trade, and joint
19 military endeavors.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada share not only a 5,522-mile border, which is
25 the world's longest border, but also a vibrant history of democratic governance, military and
26 economic partnerships, and cultural ties;
27 WHEREAS, relations between Canada and the United States span more than two
28 centuries, and the two nations have developed one of the most successful international
29 relationships in the modern world;

30 WHEREAS, the relationship between Canada and the United States is unique in the
31 world, and the two nations have a shared prosperity fostered by two-way investments and jobs;
32 WHEREAS, Canada and the United States have the largest and most comprehensive
33 trade relationship in the world;
34 WHEREAS, Canada is the largest foreign trade partner for the United States and the
35 top export destination for 36 states;
36 WHEREAS, eight million American jobs were dependent on trade with Canada in
37 2010, including nearly 74,500 jobs in Utah;
38 WHEREAS, the United States is Canada's largest export market, with the United States
39 importing $287 billion in goods from Canada in 2010;
40 WHEREAS, Utah's export shipments of merchandise in 2010 totaled $13.8 billion;
41 WHEREAS, Utah's second largest export market in 2010 was Canada, representing
42 exports of $1.3 billion, or over 9% of Utah's total exports for that year;
43 WHEREAS, Canada and Utah have a robust and complementary agricultural trade,
44 with 16% of Utah's agricultural exports going to Canada;
45 WHEREAS, another important area of trade between the United States and Canada is in
46 the energy sector;
47 WHEREAS, at $97.3 billion in 2010, United States-Canada trade in energy is the
48 largest global energy trading relationship, with Canada as the United States' largest and most
49 secure supplier of oil, electricity, uranium, and natural gas;
50 WHEREAS, Utah imported $14 million of its energy from Canada in 2010;
51 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada have interconnected electricity grids and
52 pipelines, and both countries share hydro power facilities on the western and eastern borders;
53 WHEREAS, Canada -- like Utah -- has vast oil sands reserves, which have the potential
54 to substantially reduce the United States' dependence on energy sources outside of North
55 America;
56 WHEREAS, Canadian oil sands provide greater fuel supply reliability and reduce the
57 risk of supply disruptions to consumers;

58 WHEREAS, Canada is a friendly neighbor with whom the United States has an
59 excellent trading and political relationship;
60 WHEREAS, bilaterally, visitors between Utah and Canada totaled 263,200 in 2010,
61 spending $74 million in Utah and $40 million in Canada;
62 WHEREAS, supporting the continued shift towards reliable and secure sources of
63 Canadian oil is of vital interest to the United States and the state of Utah;
64 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada also share a very special and important
65 security and defense relationship;
66 WHEREAS, Canada and the United States are both founding members of the North
67 Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and forces from the two nations have fought alongside
68 each other in most major conflicts since World War I, including the Korean War, the Gulf War,
69 the Kosovo War, and, most recently, the war in Afghanistan;
70 WHEREAS, defense arrangements between the United States and Canada are more
71 extensive than with any other nation, and Canada is a major ally of the United States; and
72 WHEREAS, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper have recently agreed to a
73 new action plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness aimed at enhancing our
74 security relationship and facilitating trade and the movement of people:
75 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
76 Governor concurring therein, express deep appreciation to the people and government of
77 Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and government of
78 the United States.
79 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
80 important economic and trade relationship between the two nations.
81 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
82 outstanding economic relationship between Canada and the state of Utah.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor acknowledge the
84 exemplary partnership and cooperation between the United States and Canada on the issue of
85 energy trade, and support continued and increased importation of Canadian oil sands.

86 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express deep
87 appreciation for the sacrifices that Canada's military, diplomats, and citizenry have made in
88 support of the United States conflict in Afghanistan and the many times that our soldiers have
89 fought side-by-side in the past.
90 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor salute our
91 neighbors to the north for their continued cooperation and efforts to jointly secure North
92 America;
93 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor honor our friend
94 and ally, Canada, and look forward to many more years of cooperation, friendship, trade,
95 tourism, and good will.
96 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the official
97 representatives of the nation of Canada in attendance this day, the 16th of February, 2012.