RESOLUTION CHAPTER 13
Relative to a sister state relationship with Gujarat State, India.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 4, Burton.
Sister state relationship: Gujarat State, India.
This measure would, on behalf of the people of California, extend an invitation to the people of Gujarat State, India, to join with California in a sister state relationship in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial social, economic, educational, and cultural exchanges that would lead to an indelible and lasting relationship between the residents of California and Gujarat State, India.
WHEREAS, India is one of the world's largest and most vibrant democratic market and is recognized globally as the market of the future; and
WHEREAS, Gujarat State has emerged as a leading industrialized state with the largest population among the other regional states in India, offering a highly trained, peaceful, and productive workforce, an excellent road network linking all regions of the state, an efficient rail network connecting all important centers in the state, the highest number of airports (10) in the state, and three stock exchanges (the largest number in any one state); and
WHEREAS, Gujarat State was the first state to establish an International Trade Promotion Council at the state level for promotion of exports and has formulated and announced a comprehensive Industrial Policy titled "Gujarat 2000 AD & Beyond" that sets futuristic directions for development, such as increasing overall flow of investment in the industrial sector, creating large scale employment opportunities, accelerating the pace of development of infrastructure and human resources, achieving sustainable development, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Further, the state government has also announced sectoral policies in the following areas: infotech, tourism, power, ports, and roads; and
WHEREAS, Gujarat State is the largest producer of cotton and groundnut and stands second in production of tobacco in the country; the state is a major producer of inorganic chemicals and boasts the largest petrochemical complex in the country; the state is also richly endowed with essential mineral resources and ranks fourth in overall mining of minerals in India; and
WHEREAS, Gujarat State has the longest coastline (1,600 kilometers) among all states in India with two gulfs and dotted with 41 ports (1 major, 11 intermediate, and 29 minor), making it a natural gateway to international markets. The marine resources are an untapped source of wealth in the Gujarat State; the state produces over 70 percent of the salt in India and accounts for 30 percent of India's potential fish and prawn culture; and
WHEREAS, Much like the State of California, Gujarat State is a prestigious center of higher learning, containing the highest number of quality educational, professional, and vocational training institutions in India; and
WHEREAS, Both California and Gujarat State have ethnically diverse populations and are concerned with peaceful coexistence of the many cultures within their borders; and
WHEREAS, Gujarat State is inextricably linked with the life of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, as he was born there and spent his early years there; and
WHEREAS, A sister state relationship would promote mutual trade and commerce, and increase the potential for educational, environmental, and cultural relations between Gujarat State and the State of California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California, on behalf of the people of California, extends to the people of the Gujarat State an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship 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 citizens of the Gujarat State of India; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Consul General of India, the Indo-American Trade and Commerce Council, the Government of Gujarat State, India, to the Governor of California, and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.