RESOLUTION CHAPTER 46
 

[Filed with Secretary of State June 8, 1999]

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5--Relative to a sister state relationship with the State of Baja California, Mexico/relacion de hermandad con el Estado de Baja California, Mexico.

WHEREAS, The people of California and the State of Baja California in Mexico share a common border and a mutual history, ancestry, culture, art, and architecture of Spanish and Native American civilizations; and

WHEREAS, Gaspar de Portola, Baja California's former Governor, made significant contributions in the exploration of California and the establishment of the state's first presidio in 1769; and

WHEREAS, The States of California and Baja California share many geographical, agricultural, and economic similarities, including beautiful coastlines on the Pacific Rim, significant irrigated agricultural areas, and a strong level of tourism; and

WHEREAS, A sister state relationship would promote mutual trade and commerce and increase the potential for commercial relationships between small, medium, and large companies in California and Baja California; and

WHEREAS, A sister state relationship between California and Baja California would facilitate the exchange of environmental protection information and other scientific and technological knowledge, especially in the areas of water and transportation, and would provide a forum for sharing legislative solutions; 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 State of Baja California in Mexico an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship (relacion de hermandad con el Estado de Baja California, Mexico) in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges and to lead to a more indelible and lasting relationship between California and the citizens of Baja California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Congress of Baja California, to the Governor of Baja California, to the Governor of California, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.