BILL NUMBER: SCR 23 CHAPTERED

BILL TEXT

RESOLUTION CHAPTER 62

FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 26, 1995

ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 24, 1995;ADOPTED IN SENATE
MAY 26, 1995; AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 2, 1995
INTRODUCED BY Senator Marks MARCH 1, 1995

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23--Relative to a sister-state relationship.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SCR 23, Marks. Sister-state relationship: Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
This measure would extend an invitation to the people of the Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to join the State of
California as a sister state. It would encourage specified state entities to assist in implementing programs and activities to promote
mutual trade and commerce.

WHEREAS, The sister city-state concept was inaugurated by the President of the United States in 1956 and this program has resulted
in greater friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and other nations through direct contact; and

WHEREAS, We live in an interconnected world with a global economy, so that international friendship and cultural understanding are
increasingly important; and

WHEREAS, California and the Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, have much in common, including geographic features and a
strong educational and international focus; and

WHEREAS, Yogyakarta is the center of Javanese culture and of particular interest is the way multiculturalism has mixed with the
expressions of original culture in that province; and

WHEREAS, There are 68 higher educational institutions, of which 12 are universities, making Yogyakarta known as Indonesia's center of
knowledge and education; and

WHEREAS, The people of the region are educated at an unusually high level, have been exposed to a broad choice of fields, and are
capable of adjusting to new skills and performing highly skilled work; and

WHEREAS, Yogyakarta has a well-organized international community with clubs that organize arts, sports, and other family activities;
and

WHEREAS, Yogyakarta has adequate air and land transportation systems and a modern communications system, including international
lines, facsimile, and telex; and

WHEREAS, Since over 50 percent of its people have jobs in small businesses and Yogyakarta is Indonesia's second most visited tourist
region, the province has potential for growth in business activities and as a tourist area; and

WHEREAS, A sister-state relationship with California would promote international trade, commerce, and tourism, increase the potential
for commercial relationships, and assist the Special Province of Yogyakarta in receiving technical assistance because California has
much special expertise to offer in environmental protection, energy development and conservation, and agricultural technology, needed by
a rapidly growing economy; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature, on behalf of the people of
the State of California, extend to the people of the Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, through the Sultan and the Governor of the
Special Province of Yogyakarta, an invitation to join the State of California as a sister state; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the Trade and Commerce Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of
Food and Agriculture, and the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to assist in implementing programs
and activities to meet the technical assistance needs of the people of the Special Province of Yogyakarta and to promote mutual trade and
commerce; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Secretary of Trade and Commerce, the
Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, the chairperson of the State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission, and to the Sultan and the Governor of the Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.