Backup Documents 09/26/2017 Item #16H1 Nq 6,n __P-•;-(
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Republic of China on Taiwan observes the 106th National Day on October 10th, 2017; and,
WHEREAS, Since the establishment of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami in .1988 and the
consequent establishment of the sister-state relations between the Province of Taiwan of the Republic of
China and the State of Florida of the United States of America in 1992, the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Office in Miami has spared no efforts in the promotion of bilateral economic and cultural relations; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan has been a member of the United States Visa Waiver Program since November 1St
2012, reflecting the ever-closer cooperation between the United States and Taiwan and making travel for
business and tourism between the two more convenient; and,
WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan have maintained and enhanced close friendship over the
decades encompassing commercial, cultural, and other interactions based on the .1979 Taiwan Relations Act
(Public Law 96-8 96th Congress); and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, the people of Taiwan's first female president, was welcomed in Miami on
June 24th, 2016, further enhancing the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Florida, as well as
strengthening the common values it shares with the United States; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has distinguished herself as a global leader with dynamic progress towards political
democratization, economic liberalization, as well as the preservation of Chinese culture, promotion of
education, humanitarian aid, healthcare, environmental protections, technological innovation, and the
advancement of basic human rights of life, liberty, and security of a person; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan's meaningful participation in numerous international organizations, including the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Health Assembly (WHA), the United Nations
'Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Criminal Police Organization
(INTERPOL) benefit regional development, peace, and prosperity; and,
WHEREAS, Taiwan became the 10th largest trading partner of the United States in 2016. Being the 7th
largest export destination of United States'agricultural goods in 2016, Taiwan is also a significant trading
partner of the State of Florida. The establishment of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United
States and Taiwan in order to support further bilateral economic and cultural ties is welcome.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that
October 10, 2017 be designated as
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) DAY IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 26th Day of September, 2017.
V1 i Vin, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
^r, COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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PENNY TAYLOR, CHAIRMAN