Vermont HR 16: House resolution supporting civic education in public schools and recognizing the week of March 11–15 as Civic Learning Week in Vermont

Bill Text

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State of Vermont
House of Representatives
Montpelier, Vermont
House Resolution
H.R. 16
Offered by Representatives Graning of Jericho, Bosch of Clarendon, Boutin
of Barre City, Carris Duncan of Whitingham, Cooper of Pownal, Duke of
Burlington, Marcotte of Coventry, Micklus of Milton, Olson of Starksboro,
Priestley of Bradford, and White of Bethel
House resolution reaffirming the abiding friendship between the State of
Vermont and the Republic of China (Taiwan) on the 27th anniversary of the
Vermont-Taiwan sister-state relationship and supporting enhanced Vermont-
Taiwan bilateral relations and Taiwan’s participation in international
organizations
Whereas, the United States and Taiwan share a vibrant and mutually
beneficial bilateral relationship, based on their shared values of freedom,
democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, and
Whereas, the U.S. government has encouraged economic, including trade,
and cultural engagements and exchanges between the American and Taiwanese
peoples, particularly at the state level, and
Whereas, in 2022, the United States and Taiwan launched the U.S.-Taiwan
Initiative on 21st-Century Trade to strengthen the two nations’ economic and
trade relationship, and, in 2023, Congress enacted the United States-Taiwan
Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act, Pub. L.
No. 118-13, approving the first agreement under this initiative, and
Whereas, in 2025, Taiwan was America’s fourth-largest trading partner,
with U.S. exports valued at $54.7 billion and imports from Taiwan worth
roughly $201.4 billion; and for the first time in over a quarter century, the
United States was Taiwan’s largest export market; and in the agriculture sector,
U.S. exports to Taiwan totaled approximately $2.3 billion, and
Whereas, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’
establishment as a republic based on democratic principles and the 30th
anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, symbolizing this
Asian nation’s enduring commitment to democracy, and
Whereas, in 1999, the State of Vermont and Taiwan entered a sister-state
relationship that has proven mutually beneficial in many ways, and
Whereas, the 2020 driver’s license reciprocity agreement between the State
of Vermont and Taiwan exemplifies the sister-state relationship in action, and
Whereas, in 2025, Vermont exports to Taiwan were worth approximately
$268 million, meaning Taiwan was Vermont’s most valuable Asian export

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destination, and second worldwide, and Vermont imported an estimated $76
million worth of goods from Taiwan, and
Whereas, establishing a Vermont trade office in Taiwan would further
enhance this already successful and long-standing trade relationship, and
Whereas, the government of Taiwan has expressed interest in establishing
memorandums of understanding with the State of Vermont, one pertaining to
economic affairs to establish a clearer structural framework for the two
jurisdictions’ burgeoning business ties and a second related to education to
expand educational exchanges and cooperation, particularly with respect to
Mandarin language teaching, and
Whereas, in 1979, Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act, Pub. L.
No. 96-8, which broadly addresses the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and one of its
provisions “provides for the continued membership of the people on Taiwan in
any international financial institution or any other international
organization,” and
Whereas, Taiwan’s participation and contributions in international
organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World
Health Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change would greatly benefit the United States and the international
community, now therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That this legislative body reaffirms the abiding friendship between the State
of Vermont and the Republic of China (Taiwan) on the 27th anniversary of the
Vermont-Taiwan sister-state relationship and supports enhanced Vermont-
Taiwan bilateral relations and Taiwan’s participation in international
organizations, and be it further
Resolved: That the Clerk of the House be directed to send a copy of this
resolution to President Donald J. Trump; President Lai Ching-te of the
Republic of China (Taiwan); Director-General Charles Liao of the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office in Boston; Governor Philip B. Scott; and the
Vermont Congressional Delegation.