85R9086 RMA-D     By: Lucio S.C.R. No. 22       CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, Trade between Texas and Mexico plays a vital role in   the economic prosperity of the Lone Star State; and          WHEREAS, Each year, Texas sends about 36 percent of the   state's total exports to Mexico, and in 2015, exports to Mexico   totaled nearly $92.5 million; goods exported to Mexico include   computer and electronic products, petroleum and coal products,   chemicals, machinery, and transportation equipment, all of which   are produced by industries that supply hundreds of thousands of   jobs to the Lone Star State; and          WHEREAS, Since the ratification of the North American Free   Trade Agreement in 1994, the export of U.S. goods to Mexico has   risen 325 percent, while imports into the United States from Mexico   have increased 458 percent; in 2012, Americans spent $277.5 billion   for goods from Mexico, and Mexico is America's third-largest   supplier of oil, after Canada and Saudi Arabia; additionally,   nearly half of the tomatoes and two-thirds of the mangoes consumed   in the United States come from Mexico; and          WHEREAS, The importance of this trade to Texas border cities,   including Brownsville, Hidalgo, Laredo, and El Paso, is tremendous,   and disruption to international commerce would be economically   devastating; by placing a priority on working with the natural   landscape of the area and building barriers such as levees, the   federal government could preserve the immeasurable benefits of the   healthy trade environment while protecting the border; and          WHEREAS, Mexico is the largest trading partner of Texas and   the third-largest of the United States, and it is imperative that   our federal government take proactive steps to strengthen ties with   Mexico and build bridges of economic opportunity that will benefit   Texas and the entire nation; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby urge the United States Congress to recognize the importance   of trade between Texas and Mexico and foster international   commerce; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That Congress and federal agencies focus border   efforts on working within the natural landscape of the region   instead of obstructing trade with a border wall; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official   copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to   the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of   Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the   members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that   this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a   memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.