A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM ON TRADE ISSUES AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED STATES‑UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE, STRENGTHENING FRIENDSHIP AND ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF BRITISH CULTURE ON NORTH CAROLINA, AND REAFFIRMING THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
Whereas, North Carolina and the United Kingdom have enjoyed decades of friendly and enduring relations, marked by robust economic partnerships, vibrant cultural ties, and shared values that have strengthened the relations between the two regions; and
Whereas, North Carolina has enjoyed a rich cultural infusion from the United Kingdom, which has led to the namesakes of our largest communities, including the City of Charlotte in the County of Mecklenburg, named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg‑Strelitz, Queen Consort of Great Britain, and the capital of our State, Raleigh, named after Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer who established the first English colony in North America at Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island, and whose eponymous city is located in the County of Wake, named after Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of royal governor William Tryon; and
Whereas, North Carolina has more than a fourth of its one hundred counties and numerous towns named after members of British Parliament, Lords Proprietor, Royal Governors, and other notable figures of the United Kingdom that have shaped the governance and virtues of North Carolinian society; and
Whereas, North Carolina has enjoyed a wealth of immigration from all portions of the United Kingdom, shaping its economy, culture, and communities from the colonial era onward, playing a crucial role in the State's early development, cultural identity, and long‑term prosperity; and
Whereas, the United Kingdom currently stands as one of the largest originators of foreign direct investment in North Carolina, with over $1 billion invested into North Carolina's economy since 2014; and
Whereas, the United Kingdom is an important trading partner of North Carolina, as the sixth largest export destination of the State, with over $2.5 billion in trade with the United Kingdom; and
Whereas, the United Kingdom has played an essential role in job creation in North Carolina across various sectors, with 218 companies employing over 43,200 North Carolinians, thereby contributing significantly to the State's employment and economy; and
Whereas, North Carolina has emerged as a premier destination for British investment and ranks among the top US states selected by the UK as a beneficiary of foreign direct investment, reflecting the State's favorable business environment, developed infrastructure, and skilled workforce; and
Whereas, trade with the United Kingdom plays an instrumental role in North Carolina's economic activity, enhancing prosperity and growth, and fostering mutually beneficial exchanges of goods, services, and technologies, thereby solidifying the United Kingdom as a vital trading partner and ally; and
Whereas, Governor Roy Cooper and British Minister for International Trade Penny Mordaunt recognized the importance of the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and North Carolina, signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Trade Relations on July 15, 2022, to strengthen economic ties and transition to a clean energy economy; and
Whereas, over 24,075 British expatriates currently live or work in North Carolina, leading to the establishment of the British International School of Charlotte, opened in 2004 and the fifth school opened in the United States by the British Schools of America; and
Whereas, four daily direct flights now connect North Carolina with the United Kingdom, including service from the Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh‑Durham International Airports to London Heathrow; and
Whereas, the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom has been a cornerstone of global peace, stability, and prosperity, with both nations collaborating on upholding human rights, advancing democracy, and addressing shared security challenges, while also driving innovation, economic growth, and diplomatic efforts worldwide; and
Whereas, the democratic values championed by both the United Kingdom and the United States, which serve as cornerstones of global order and collaboration, form the foundation of the lasting friendship between North Carolina and the United Kingdom; and
Whereas, North Carolina remains committed to its friendship with the United Kingdom and to the US‑UK alliance and peaceful trade between the nations; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives recognizes the historic significance of the friendship and alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives commends the people of the United Kingdom for their remarkable achievements in promoting democracy, economic prosperity, and international cooperation.
SECTION 3.  The House of Representatives applauds the United Kingdom for its continued partnership and economic cooperation with the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 4.  The House of Representatives affirms the steadfast and enduring friendship and cooperation between the United Kingdom and the State of North Carolina and expresses its commitment to further strengthening these ties.
SECTION 5.  The House of Representatives urges Congress to work more closely with the United Kingdom on mutually beneficial trade relations to encourage increased investment and collaboration between English and American companies in the economy of both the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively.
SECTION 6.  The House of Representatives expresses to Congress full support for the longstanding alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, which remains critical for global security and prosperity.
SECTION 7.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C., the British Consulate General in Atlanta, Georgia, the UK Government Office in Raleigh, North Carolina, each member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation, the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and the Secretary of the United States Senate, and the President of the United States.
SECTION 8.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.