This measure would extend, on behalf of the people of the state, an invitation to the people of Cambodia to join California in a sister-state relationship.

WHEREAS, We live in an interconnected world with a global economy, so that international friendship and cultural understanding are increasingly important; and

WHEREAS, Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is located in Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, Early connections between the United States and Cambodia began in the 1950s when Cambodia sent bright and talented college students to universities, including California State Universities in Long Beach and Los Angeles, to study technical trades, engineering, and agriculture with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development; and

WHEREAS, The relationship between the United States and Cambodia had been forged through educational and professional exchange and therefore, in 1975, with the impending overthrow of the government by the totalitarian Khmer Rouge regime, the United States accepted over 4,000 Cambodian evacuees to ensure their safety; and

WHEREAS, After the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, over 140,000 Cambodians came to the United States as refugees. This group was of special humanitarian and foreign policy concern to the United States because of the well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and thus was in need of protection in accordance with the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees adopted in 1951; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has the largest population of Cambodians and the City of Long Beach is known around the world as home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia; and

WHEREAS, Cambodia has a long and rich cultural heritage symbolized by the temple city Angkor Wat, considered one of the Wonders of the Ancient World and built during the 12th century, that stands as a living icon of the endurance and genius of all Cambodians throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The regions beaches, forest, and beautiful scenery provide rich resources for tourism; and

WHEREAS, Cambodias economy is based on agriculture, forestry, milled rice, manufacturing in machinery, garment production, and tourism; and

WHEREAS, A sister-state relationship with California would promote international trade, commerce, and tourism, increase the potential for commercial relationships, and foster cultural and educational exchanges; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature commits to formalizing the sister-state relationship between Cambodia and the State of California for its mutually beneficial social, educational, economic, and cultural exchanges; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the intent of the Legislature through a sister-state relationship with Cambodia to do all of the following:

(1)Promote the economic growth and well-being of small, medium, and large companies in California by increasing their potential for trade and investment with Cambodia.

(2)Provide a forum for sustained good will and cooperation between the elected leaders of the State of California and Cambodia.

(3)Promote bilateral ties that lead to a more indelible and lasting relationship between the citizens of California and the citizens of Cambodia; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature, on behalf of the people of the State of California, hereby extends an invitation to the people of Cambodia to join California as a sister state and commit to the development of programs to foster artistic, social, economic, educational, scientific, and cultural exchanges in order to strengthen economic ties and improve international understanding and good will between California and Cambodia; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 3

Author: Lara (D)

Introduced: 12/5/16

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Cambodia: sister-state relationship

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution extends, on behalf of the people of the state, an invitation to the people of Cambodia to join California in a sister-state relationship.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is located in Southeast Asia.
2. The relationship between the United States and Cambodia had been forged through educational and professional exchange and therefore, in 1975, with the impending overthrow of the government by the totalitarian Khmer Rouge regime, the United States accepted over 4,000 Cambodian evacuees to ensure their safety.
3. After the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, over 140,000 Cambodians came to the United States as refugees. This group was of special humanitarian and foreign policy concern to the United States because of the well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and thus was in need of protection in accordance with the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees adopted in 1951.
4. The State of California has the largest population of Cambodians and the City of Long Beach is known around the world as home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia.
5. A sister-state relationship with California would promote international trade, commerce, and tourism, increase the potential for commercial relationships, and foster cultural and educational exchanges.

This resolution:

1. Commits to formalizing the sister-state relationship between Cambodia and the State of California for its mutually beneficial social, educational, economic, and cultural exchanges.
2. Declares the intent of the Legislature through a sister-state relationship with Cambodia to do all of the following:
   1. Promote the economic growth and well-being of small, medium, and large companies in California by increasing their potential for trade and investment with Cambodia.
   2. Provide a forum for sustained good will and cooperation between the elected leaders of the State of California and Cambodia.
   3. Promote bilateral ties that lead to a more indelible and lasting relationship between the citizens of California and the citizens of Cambodia.
3. Extends, on behalf of the people of the State of California, an invitation to the people of Cambodia to join California as a sister state and commit to the development of programs to foster artistic, social, economic, educational, scientific, and cultural exchanges in order to strengthen economic ties and improve international understanding and good will between California and Cambodia.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 1/9/17)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 1/9/17)

None received

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

1/12/17 13:37:29

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