LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 95

RESOLUTION CHAPTER 131

This measure would invite the State of Baja California Sur, Mexico, to join California in a sister state relationship.

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

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

WHEREAS, The State of California and the Mexican State of Baja California Sur share a mutually beneficial economic relationship that includes trade, investments, and commerce in the areas of fishing, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, ecotourism, and other important industries; and

WHEREAS, The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has expanded trade between the State of California and the State of Baja California Sur, providing additional impetus and reason for cooperation; and

WHEREAS, The State of Baja California Sur has an annual gross state product of more than 23 billion pesos per year, a 10-year growth rate of more than 400 percent, and per capita incomes that rank it number eight among the United States of Mexico; and

WHEREAS, The State of California and the State of Baja California Sur have supported cooperative research by universities in California and Baja California Sur to promote bilateral economic development, thereby providing mutual benefit to the people of the State of California and the State of Baja California Sur; and

WHEREAS, The number and diversity of university campuses in Baja California Sur provide ample and untapped opportunities for cooperative research and for student and faculty exchanges with California colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, The States of California and Baja California Sur, in affirmation of the common goal of strengthened cultural ties among the Californias, as agreed to and ratified by the Commission of the Californias and the California Arts Council, duly signed the Memorandum of Understanding, which seeks to establish a joint cultural program to promote the exchange of arts and culture; and

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

WHEREAS, Generations of people from the State of Baja California Sur reside in the State of California, and a growing number of Californians reside in the State of Baja California Sur, particularly after retirement; 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 the State of California, extends to the people of the State of Baja California Sur in Mexico an invitation to join with the State of California in a sister state relationship (relacion de hermandad con el Estado de Baja California Sur, Mexico) in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the intent of the Legislature through a sister state relationship with the State of Baja California Sur to do the following:
(1) Promote the economic growth and well-being of small, medium, and large companies in both California and Baja California Sur by increasing their potential for trade and investment.
(2) Provide a forum for sustained goodwill and cooperation between the elected leaders of the State of California and the State of Baja California Sur.
(3) Promote bilateral ties that lead to a more indelible and lasting relationship between the citizens of California and the citizens of Baja California Sur; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor of California, to the Governor of Baja California Sur, to the State Congress of Baja California Sur, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.