SENATE RESOLUTION
8673
By Senators Orwall, Short, Cleveland, Slatter, Valdez, and Hasegawa
WHEREAS, Ireland and the state of Washington have built, and continue to build, an exceptional and prosperous relationship, driving transatlantic economic and technological growth, fostering cultural exchange and celebration, sharing the value of the dignity and worth of every person, and demonstrating leadership in working on policies that increase energy efficiency and promote long-term economic and workforce growth; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Senate recognize the significance of the relationship between the United States and Ireland, and between Washington state and Ireland; and
WHEREAS, With honor, respect, and acknowledgment, the Washington State Senate notes that the people of Washington and the people of Ireland share a tremendous and enduring connection, established in 1847 and sustained across generations to present day, between the country of Ireland and the Choctaw and Navajo Nations, among the first peoples of our nation's land whose culture, tradition, and leadership are essential to the success and prosperity of our countries; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Senate express profound gratitude for and deep admiration of this shared history with Ireland, shaped by our people's self-determination to strengthen civic and labor opportunities that continue to inform modern approaches today; and
WHEREAS, The strong relationship established in 1986 between the cities of Galway, Ireland and Seattle, Washington, allows our people to exchange and celebrate our culture and values through trade, tourism, educational exchange programs, and collaboration on projects that meaningfully improve the health and wellness of Seattle and Galway residents; and
WHEREAS, As a global hub for technology in the twenty-first century and a distinguished host to internationally renowned companies including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, Ireland has demonstrated exceptional initiative, innovation, and vision in the global technology sector; and
WHEREAS, This partnership will enable us to build upon our shared accomplishments and commitment to drive meaningful change together and pave the way for continued innovation, expanded opportunity, and sustainable economic growth; and
WHEREAS, Our collective stewardship in energy efficiency and technological advancement has driven significant progress in the development and implementation of clean technologies, creating over 100,000 jobs combined and true progress towards a cleaner and healthier future; and
WHEREAS, The products exchanged between the people of Washington state and Ireland, including aerospace technology, agriculture, and energy, exceeding one billion dollars annually, underscore our unified commitment to promoting long-term economic development;