HR0085LRB098 10828 GRL 41311 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The United States and Canada share not only a
35,522-mile border, which is the world's longest, most peaceful,
4and secure border, but also a vibrant history of democratic
5governance, military, and economic partnerships, environmental
6stewardship, and cultural ties; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Relations between Canada and the United States
8span more than two centuries; together, our nations have
9developed one of the most successful international
10relationships in the modern world; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The relationship between Canada and the United
12States is unique in the world; our nations have a shared
13prosperity, fostered by two-way investments and jobs; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Canada and the United States have the largest and
15most comprehensive trade relationship in the world; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Canada is the largest foreign trade partner and
17the top export destination for the State of Illinois; and
 
18    WHEREAS, 299,100 Illinois jobs were dependent on trade with
19Canada in 2011; in total, more than 8 million jobs in the
20United States depend on trade and investment in Canada; and
 

 

 

HR0085- 2 -LRB098 10828 GRL 41311 r

1    WHEREAS, The United States is Canada's largest export
2market, with the United States exporting $337 billion to Canada
3in 2011 and importing $342 billion in goods and services from
4Canada in 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Canada is the State of Illinois' most important
6primary export market, with $55.2 billion worth of merchandise
7and goods in bilateral trade exchanged; 30% of Illinois'
8worldwide exports were sold to Canada in 2011; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Canadian-owned companies employ more than 23,000
10workers in Illinois and many Illinois companies have operations
11in Canada; and
 
12    WHEREAS, More than 400,000 people peacefully cross the
13Canada-United States border daily; and
 
14    WHEREAS, 913,200 Canadians visited Illinois in 2011,
15spending $261 million; 494,700 citizens from the Land of
16Lincoln visited Canada in 2011, spending $256 million; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Canada has become the United States' largest
18supplier of energy and provides our nation with the largest and
19most secure supply of oil, electricity, uranium, and natural
20gas; and
 

 

 

HR0085- 3 -LRB098 10828 GRL 41311 r

1    WHEREAS, Canada has vast oil reserves, which have the
2potential to substantially reduce the United States'
3dependence on energy sources outside of North America; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The United States and Canada have interconnected
5electricity grids and pipelines; our countries also share
6hydro-electric facilities on the western and eastern borders;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois imported $22.8 billion in
9crude petroleum products from Canada in 2011; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Canada and Illinois have a robust and
11complementary agricultural trade; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The United States and Canada also share a very
13special and important security and defense relationship;
14Canada and the United States are both founding members of the
15North Atlantic Treaty Organization and forces from the two
16nations have fought alongside each other major conflicts
17throughout history and around the globe; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Defense arrangements between the United States
19and Canada are more extensive than with any other nation, and
20Canada is a major ally of the United States; and
 

 

 

HR0085- 4 -LRB098 10828 GRL 41311 r

1    WHEREAS, 2012 marks the 65th anniversary of the
2establishment of Canada's Consulate General in Illinois; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Canada and Illinois share deep economic,
4historical, cultural, and familial ties; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7we express our greatest appreciation to the people and
8government of Canada for their long history of friendship and
9cooperation with the people and government of Illinois and the
10United States; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we recognize the important economic and
12trade relationship between our nations and recognize the great
13economic relationship between Canada and the State of Illinois;
14and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the partnership and
16cooperation between Illinois and Canada on many issues,
17including Great Lakes stewardship, environmental protection,
18energy and agricultural trade, and support continued and
19increased trade with the nation of Canada; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That we salute our neighbors to the north for

 

 

HR0085- 5 -LRB098 10828 GRL 41311 r

1their continued cooperation and efforts to jointly secure North
2America; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That we honor the 65-year history of the Canadian
4Consulate in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we join with the great nation of Canada in
6looking forward to many more years of cooperation, friendship,
7trade, tourism, and goodwill; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the official representative of the nation of
10Canada in recognition of the mutual respect and friendship
11between the people of the State of Illinois and Canada.