TITLE: Welcoming the visiting delegation from the Republic of Turkey to the State Capitol on April 3, 2013.

SUMMARY: Welcoming the visiting delegation from the Republic of Turkey to the State Capitol on April 3, 2013.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Led by Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, a group of prominent businessmen from the Republic of Turkey is visiting Austin on April 3, 2013, and it is indeed a pleasure to welcome this distinguished delegation; and WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey and the United States foster a strong strategic partnership based on common values and ideals such as democracy, the rule of law, and the free market economy, and our countries work together to address many challenges and to promote mutual interests; and WHEREAS, The 17th largest global economy, Turkey is an international business and financial powerhouse, with an average 5.2 percent annual growth from 2002 to 2011; it is an increasingly important commercial partner with the Lone Star State, and as part of Mr. Caglayan's efforts to further develop this relationship, Turkish Airlines has recently decided to offer nonstop flights between Houston and Istanbul; and WHEREAS, Texas is home to some 50,000 Turkish-American citizens and to organizations such as the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, the Raindrop Foundation, and the Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce that are all contributing greatly to the economic vitality and cultural diversity of the state; in addition, the sister city connection between Austin and Antalya and between Houston and Istanbul continually reinforces these bonds of friendship; and WHEREAS, The State of Texas and the Republic of Turkey enjoy a dynamic and mutually beneficial economic relationship, and this vibrant trade alliance will continue to enhance prosperity and make critical contributions to the global economy in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby welcome His Excellency Zafer Caglayan and the accompanying Turkish delegation to Texas and extend to them sincere best wishes for a productive and memorable visit to the state. Pitts Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Branch Hilderbran Pitts Burkett Howard Price Burnam Huberty Raney Button Hughes Ratliff Callegari Hunter Raymond Canales Isaac Reynolds Capriglione Johnson Riddle Carter Kacal Ritter Clardy Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Coleman King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Collier King of Parker Rose Cook King of Taylor Sanford Cortez King of Zavala Schaefer Craddick Kleinschmidt Sheets Creighton Klick Sheffield of Bell Crownover Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Dale Krause Simmons Darby Kuempel Simpson Davis of Dallas Larson Smith J. Davis of Harris Laubenberg Smithee S. Davis of Harris Lavender Springer Deshotel Leach Stephenson Dukes Lewis Stickland Dutton Longoria Strama Eiland Lozano Taylor Elkins Lucio III Thompson of Harris Fallon Marquez Toth Farias Martinez Turner of Collin Farney Martinez Fischer Turner of Harris Farrar McClendon Turner of Tarrant Fletcher Menendez Villalba Frank Miles Villarreal Frullo Miller of Comal Vo Geren Miller of Fort Bend Walle Giddings Moody White Goldman Morrison Workman Gonzales Munoz, Jr. Wu Murphy Zerwas Murphy Zerwas Naishtat Nevarez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1217 was adopted by the House on April 3, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House