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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING UTAH'S

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SALVADORAN COMMUNITY

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2024 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Judy Weeks Rohner

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Senate Sponsor: Chris H. Wilson

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This resolution honors the Salvadoran-American community in the state of Utah.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This resolution:
13          ▸     recognizes the contributions of Salvadoran-Americans to Utah and the United
14     States;
15          ▸     recognizes the many shared values between El Salvador and Utah;
16          ▸     recognizes the new general consulate of El Salvador in Salt Lake City; and
17          ▸     recognizes the state's eagerness to foster stronger ties, enhance business partnerships
18     and cultural exchange, and promote initiatives that benefit the people of El Salvador
19     and the people of Utah.
20     Special Clauses:
21          None
22     

23     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24          WHEREAS, Salvadorans are the third-largest population of Hispanic origin living in
25     the United States, with an estimated 2.5 million people of Salvadoran origin or heritage
26     residing in the nation, according to the 2021 U.S. Census;
27          WHEREAS, in the state of Utah, Salvadorans have established a significant community

28     of about 20,000 people, and they constitute the second-largest Latino population in the state,
29     according to a recent report on New Americans in Utah by the American Immigration Council;
30          WHEREAS, many Salvadorans emigrated seeking peace and security, fleeing the
31     aftermath of a civil war, gang violence, and a series of natural disasters dating back to the early
32     1970s;
33          WHEREAS, through the years, multigenerational Salvadoran-American families have
34     established a new home in Utah through tenacious effort and immense sacrifice, providing for
35     their families and contributing to Utah's economy;
36          WHEREAS, the state of Utah welcomes a number of legal temporary farmworkers
37     every year who come to alleviate labor shortages in the state's agricultural sector;
38          WHEREAS, similar federal immigration programs, such as the Temporal Protected
39     Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, have made it possible for Salvadorans to
40     gain legal status and become an integral part of the fabric of the state of Utah;
41          WHEREAS, the Salvadoran community in Utah has brought forward meaningful
42     cultural and economic contributions to the state through numerous means in areas such as
43     gastronomy, skilled trade, and art;
44          WHEREAS, Salvadoran-Americans in Utah have an entrepreneurial spirit, with many
45     owning businesses that create jobs and contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state's
46     economy;
47          WHEREAS, Salvadoran-Americans in Utah actively participate in volunteerism and
48     social and civic engagement, further promoting their sense of American pride while preserving
49     their cultural identity, passing their traditions to future generations, and enriching the cultural
50     diversity of our state;
51          WHEREAS, El Salvador and the state of Utah share many common values including
52     the respect for families and serve as economic vanguards in their respective regions;
53          WHEREAS, Salvadorans and Utahns are known for upholding industry, valuing hard
54     work, and recognizing the importance of personal development through education as principles
55     of progress;
56          WHEREAS, El Salvador has an emerging innovative economy and continues to
57     improve its security conditions, and is on its way to becoming one of the safest countries in
58     Latin America;

59          WHEREAS, El Salvador stands to become a hub of economic and technological
60     development for Latin America, creating favorable conditions for tourism and foreign
61     investment;
62          WHEREAS, in March 2023, the government of El Salvador opened a new general
63     consulate in Salt Lake City;
64          WHEREAS, the general consulate in Salt Lake City will serve the diaspora of
65     Salvadorans in Utah by facilitating consular services, strengthening relationships with the state
66     and El Salvador, and collaborating with community organizations that will benefit not just
67     Salvadorans but the broader Hispanic community in the state;
68          WHEREAS, the new general consulate of El Salvador in Salt Lake City is only the
69     second general consulate in the state, the other being the Mexican Consulate; and
70          WHEREAS, the state of Utah recognizes the importance of fostering international
71     relationships and promoting understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect through
72     diplomatic ties:
73          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
74     Governor concurring therein, recognizes the contributions of the Salvadoran-American
75     community in Utah that continues to make significant economic, social, and cultural
76     contributions to the state, adding to the diversity of the tapestry of cultures of the state of Utah.
77          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor warmly welcome the
78     General Consulate of El Salvador in Salt Lake City, signifying a commitment to strengthening
79     economic and cultural relationships, promoting unity and social bonds between the citizens of
80     Utah and the people of El Salvador.
81          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor express the state's
82     eagerness to collaborate with the Salvadoran-American community in Utah and the General
83     Consulate of El Salvador in Salt Lake City to foster stronger ties, enhance business
84     partnerships and cultural exchange, and promote initiatives that benefit the people of El
85     Salvador and the people of Utah.
86          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Utah is committed to encouraging relationships and
87     exchanges between Utah and El Salvador that would benefit from increased trade, investment,
88     tourism, cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges, and look forward to many more years
89     of mutual cooperation and friendship between El Salvador and the state of Utah.

90          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the El Salvador
91     Embassy in Washington D.C. and the General Consulate of El Salvador in Salt Lake City.