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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 environmental stewardship, energy
19 development, economic trade, and joint military endeavors.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
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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 35 states;
36 WHEREAS, nearly nine million American jobs were dependent on trade with Canada
37 in 2014, including nearly 78,900 jobs in Utah;
38 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada traded $734 billion in goods and services in
39 2014, which equates to nearly $1.4 million in goods and services crossing the border every
40 minute of every day;
41 WHEREAS, Utah contributes significantly to this relationship, with bilateral trade
42 totaling $3.1 billion in 2014;
43 WHEREAS, Utah's second largest export market in 2014 was Canada, representing
44 exports of $1.4 billion, or over 12% of Utah's total exports for that year;
45 WHEREAS, Canada and Utah have a robust and complementary agriculture trade, with
46 agriculture being the leading import from Canada to Utah and 6% of Utah's agriculture exports
47 going to Canada;
48 WHEREAS, another important area of trade between the United States and Canada is in
49 the energy sector;
50 WHEREAS, at $117 billion in 2013, Canada's energy exports to the United States
51 reinforced Canada as the United States' largest and most secure supplier of oil, electricity,
52 uranium, and natural gas;
53 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada are committed to reducing environmental
54 impacts from energy production and cooperate extensively on improving energy efficiencies;
55 WHEREAS, stewardship of our shared environment is a key element of the
56 Canada-United States relationship as our countries work together to anticipate and address
57 environmental challenges;
58 WHEREAS, this commitment was underscored by the historic, ambitious, and balanced
59 agreement reached by Canada, the United States, and 193 other countries at the Paris climate
60 conference to fight climate change;
61 WHEREAS, Canada is a friendly neighbor with whom the United States has an
62 excellent trading and political relationship;
63 WHEREAS, the United States welcomes more tourists from Canada than from any
64 other country, and 319,300 Canadian visitors in 2014 spent an estimated $100 million in the
65 state;
66 WHEREAS, the United States and Canada also share a very special and important
67 security and defense relationship;
68 WHEREAS, Canada and the United States are both founding members of the North
69 Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and forces from the two nations have fought alongside
70 each other in most major conflicts since World War I, including the Korean War, the Persian
71 Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and, most recently, the War in Afghanistan;
72 WHEREAS, defense arrangements between the United States and Canada are more
73 extensive than with any other nation, and Canada is a major ally of the United States; and
74 WHEREAS, Canada and the United States are unwavering in their commitment to a
75 safe and secure Canada-United States perimeter and to countering extremism both at home and
76 abroad:
77 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
78 Governor concurring therein, expresses deep appreciation to the people and government of
79 Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and government of
80 the United States.
81 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
82 important economic and trade relationship between the two nations.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
84 outstanding economic relationship between Canada and the state of Utah.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express deep
86 appreciation for the sacrifices that Canada's military, diplomats, and citizenry have made in
87 support of the United States' conflict in Afghanistan and the many times that our soldiers have
88 fought side-by-side in the past.
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor salute our
90 neighbors to the north for their continued cooperation and efforts to jointly secure North
91 America.
92 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor honor Utah's
93 friend and ally, Canada, and look forward to many more years of cooperation, friendship, trade,
94 tourism, and good will.
95 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the official
96 representatives of the nation of Canada in attendance this day, March 2, 2016.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel