Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 104

WHEREAS, Punjab is Pakistan’s most populous province, with a population of about 110,000,000; and

 

WHEREAS, Punjab’s capital, Lahore, is a cultural, historical, economic, and cosmopolitan center of Pakistan where the country’s cinema industry and much of its fashion industry are based, similar to California; and

 

WHEREAS, Agriculture continues to be the largest sector of Punjab’s economy. The province is the breadbasket of the country, similar to California; and

 

WHEREAS, There are more than 250,000 Punjabi Americans in California, many of whom first settled in California’s central valley to do agricultural work; and

 

WHEREAS, Punjab has the largest economy in Pakistan. In 2007, Punjab achieved a growth rate of 7.8 percent. During the period from 2002–03 to 2007–08, its economy grew at rates between 7 to 8 percent each year. During the 2008–09 fiscal year, Punjab’s economy grew at a rate of 6 percent, substantially faster than the total gross domestic product growth of Pakistan; and

 

WHEREAS, A sister-state relationship between the State of California and the Province of Punjab would promote mutual trade and commerce and increase the potential for educational, environmental, and cultural relations between the Province of Punjab and the State of California; 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 California, extends to the people of the province of Punjab, Pakistan, an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until December 31, 2026, in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial economic, educational, environmental, and cultural exchanges and to lead to a more indelible and lasting relationship between Californians and the people of the province of Punjab, Pakistan; and be it further

 

Resolved, That any sister state agreement developed will identify objectives, areas of mutual interest, a list of potential activities, and an initial list of public and private partners that will help to advance the purposes of the sister state agreement, including one or more entities that will serve as facilitators and general points of contact; and be it further

 

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor of California, to the Governor of Punjab, to the Legislature of Punjab, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.