WHEREAS, The sister city‑state program, inaugurated in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, has resulted in greater friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and other nations through direct contact, formal declarations of goodwill, and a spirit of cooperation; and

 

WHEREAS, We live in an interconnected world with a global economy, in which international friendship, collaboration, and cultural understanding are of the utmost importance; and

 

WHEREAS, The Republic of Korea is one of California’s largest export markets, although Korean investment in California is relatively small; and

 

WHEREAS, Approximately 25 percent of the world’s population resides in Northeast Asia, and the Province of Jeju, Republic of Korea, is geographically situated in the heart of Northeast Asia within a two hour flight time of 18 major Asian cities with populations over five million; and

 

WHEREAS, The South Korean government has designated Jeju City a Free International City in order to foster tourism and trade in the Province of Jeju, reduced tariffs and barriers to foreigners entering the Province of Jeju, and implemented a number of measures to promote foreign direct investment into the Province of Jeju; and

 

WHEREAS, The Province of Jeju was designated World Peace Island by the South Korean government in 2004 and has since hosted international conventions and forums by organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the United Nations Environmental Program for leading domestic and international figures; and

 

WHEREAS, The South Korean government is investing in the Province of Jeju for the development of a tourism port as well as complexes dedicated to tourism, resort‑style residences, and the development of science and technology; and

 

WHEREAS, California and the Province of Jeju have much in common, including a strong tourism industry, a specialized agricultural industry important to the region’s economy, and a desire to protect the local ecology; and

 

WHEREAS, The Cities of Los Angeles and Santa Rosa are already cultivating sister city relationships with Jeju City and Bukjeju City, respectively, in the Province of Jeju; and

 

WHEREAS, A sister-state relationship between California and the Province of Jeju would promote international trade, commerce, and tourism, increase the potential for commercial relationships, and foster cultural exchanges; now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California, on behalf of the people of the State of California, extends to the people of the Jeju Province, Republic of Korea, through the Governor of Jeju Province, an invitation to join the State of California as a sister state; and be it further

 

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.