2013 Assembly Joint Resolution 41
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: congratulating the Republic of China (Taiwan) on its inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program effective November 1, 2012, and supporting Taiwan's efforts seeking meaningful participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with observer status.
Whereas, the Republic of China (Taiwan), having marked its centennial in 2011 and begun its second century as the world's 19th-largest economy (as of 2011), has achieved economic and social stability and in the last two decades has been lauded as a beacon of democracy for Asia; and
Whereas, last fall Taiwan gained membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and, beginning November 1, 2012, became the 37th country to receive visa-free travel privileges to the United States and only the fifth Asian country with visa-free status, joining Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Brunei; and
Whereas, as a result, more Taiwanese will come to the United States for business and tourism, increasing spending of tourist dollars and facilitating business, trade, and investment in the United States, thus contributing to the U.S. and local economies and strengthening bilateral relations and ties with individual states, including Wisconsin; and
Whereas, aviation safety has become a major global concern since 2001, and Taiwan is a key air transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 1,000,000 flights passing through the Taipei Flight Information Region, and has one of the world's largest airports by cargo volume, Taoyuan International Airport, yet Taiwan is not a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and
Whereas, Taiwan seeks meaningful participation with observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), but has not been accorded it and is not a member, leaving a gap in the aviation security and navigation system; and
Whereas, Taiwan can be a valuable and constructive partner to the ICAO in the global strategy to address airline safety and security based on effective international cooperation, and its participation in that international organization can also narrow the security gap, reduce the exposure to threats, and increase aviation safety; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature congratulates the Republic of China (Taiwan) on gaining inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program as of November 1, 2012, and extends its support for the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with observer status.
