To demonstrate their support for a robust Taiwan-Arizona relationship, the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona State House of Representatives respectively established their own “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” on March 28, 2022. Mr. Louis M. Huang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO-LA), was invited to attend the establishment ceremony of the aforesaid two caucuses held at the Arizona State Legislature.
Among the 30 members of the Arizona State Senate, 22 joined the Senate Taiwan Friendship Caucus as founding members, including President Karen Fann (R) and its two co-chairs, Majority Leader Rick Gray (R) and Minority Leader Rebecca Rios (D). On the other hand, among the 60 members of the Arizona State House of Representatives, 22 joined the House Taiwan Friendship Caucus as founding members, including Speaker Russell Bowers (R) and its four co-chairs, Representative John Kavanagh (R), Representative Frank Carroll (R), Representative Diego Espinoza (D) and Representative Jennifer Longdon (D).
In his speech at the establishment ceremony of the Arizona State Senate’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” and the Arizona State House of Representative’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus”, Director General Louis M. Huang stated that since 2012, the Arizona State Legislature has passed resolutions in support of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and closer cooperation in trade between Taiwan and the U.S. This afternoon, we are looking forward to another resolution being adopted in support of the negotiation of a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), and Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Director General Huang expressed his gratitude to all members of the Arizona State Legislature for their unwavering support.
Director General Louis M. Huang pointed out that the establishment of the “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” in both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature makes the State of Arizona the 12th state that establishes a Taiwan Friendship Caucus in its state legislature. This creates a new chapter of the friendship between Taiwan and the State of Arizona. Director General Huang guaranteed that our friendship will continuously blossom in the years to come.
Director General Huang also pointed out that the mutually beneficial relationship between Taiwan and Arizona has been continuously deepened. For example, the decision of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to invest $12 billion in Arizona to build its new fab will not only boost Arizona’s economy, but will also further strengthen the cooperation in the supply chain between Taiwan and the U.S.
Director General Huang also stated that Taiwan ranked the 8th strongest full democracy in the world (the 1st in Asia), according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2021 Democracy Index. He also stressed that Taiwan has been actively involving in humanitarian aids to Ukraine, including donating more than $30 million, medicines and supplies.
In their speeches, the leaders of the Arizona State Legislature, such as Senate President Karen Fann, Speaker Russell Bowers, and the co-chairs of the two Taiwan Friendship Caucuses, recognized the achievements of the Taiwan-Arizona cooperation over the years. They look forward to a robust and close partnership between Taiwan and Arizona in the years to come.
During his trip to Arizona, the leaders of the both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature recognized the presence of Director General Huang. Director General Huang also witnessed the adoption of the concurrent resolution of both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature in support of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, a bilateral trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S., and the cooperation between Taiwan and Arizona.
Director General Louis M. Huang gave his remarks at the establishment ceremony of the Arizona State Senate’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” and the Arizona State House of Representative’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” (1)
Director General Louis M. Huang gave his remarks at the establishment ceremony of the Arizona State Senate’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” and the Arizona State House of Representative’s “Taiwan Friendship Caucus” (2)
Director General Louis M. Huang and the members of the “Taiwan Friendship Caucuses” of the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona State House of Representatives
(From left to right) Arizona State Senate President Pro Tempore Vince Leach (R), Senate President Karen Fann (R), Director General Louis M. Huang and Senate Majority Leader Rick Gray (R)
Arizona State Senate adopted S.C.R. 1021
Arizona State House of Representatives adopted S.C.R. 1021
