11-R092

2011 -- S 0383

Enacted 03/03/11

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING THE UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, AND, MORE SPECIFICALLY RHODE ISLAND AND CANADA

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: March 03, 2011

     WHEREAS, The United States and Canada share not only a 5,500-mile border, which is

the world’s longest unmilitarized border, but also common ideals and democratic principles; and

     WHEREAS, The relationship between Canada and the United States is unique in the

world, and the two countries have a shared prosperity fostered by two-way investment and jobs;

and

     WHEREAS, Relations between Canada and the United States span more than two

centuries, and the two countries have developed one of the most successful international

relationships in the modern world, with 7.1 million American jobs dependent on trade with

Canada in 2009, including 27,600 jobs here in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The United States is Canada’s largest export market and imported $339

billion in Canadian goods in 2009. Rhode Island’s largest export market by far is Canada, which

receives Rhode Island exports totaling $474 million; and

     WHEREAS, Canadian tourists flocked to Rhode Island in 2009, making 47,900 visits and

contributing $11 million to the local economy; and

     WHEREAS, The energy sector is an important area of trade between the United States

and Canada, with Canada providing more than $122 billion in energy supplies to the United

States, our largest and most secure energy supplier; and

     WHEREAS, Canada is the largest supplier of U.S. crude and refined oil imports, and it is

also the largest source of U.S. natural gas and electricity imports; and

     WHEREAS, in 2009, Rhode Island imported nearly $420 million in energy from Canada,

the vast majority consisting of petroleum and coal products; and

     WHEREAS, The United States and Canada also have a very special and important

military and defense relationship with one another, are both members of the North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO), and our forces have fought alongside each other in most major conflicts

since World War II, including the Korean War, the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and, most

recently, the war in Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, American defense arrangements with Canada are more extensive than with

any other country, and Canada was a major ally of the United States during the Cold War; and

     WHEREAS, Canadian troops arrived in Afghanistan to support American forces in

January 2002, and Canadian Forces personnel are currently deployed in Afghanistan as part of the

International Security Assistance Force; and

     WHEREAS, Since September 11, 2001, our strong military relationship with Canada has

helped to keep the United States safe from further attacks, and Canada is now, more than ever, a

key military ally of the United States; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,

hereby recognizes the strength of the Canada-Rhode Island relationship and our commitment to

working together to enhance our mutually beneficial trade relationship and ensure many more

years of cooperation, friendship, trade, and goodwill; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Patrick G. Binns, Canadian Consulate General,

Boston, Massachusetts.

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LC01297

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