SR268 - Recognizing March 18, 2025, as COFA Day.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 268          WHEREAS, The United States has enjoyed strong   relationships with the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the   Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia; and          WHEREAS, The Compact of Free Association Act of 1985   terminated U.S. trusteeship over the former Trust Territory of   the Pacific Islands and established the Federated States of   Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands as   independent nations in 1986; in 1994, the U.S. established   another Compact of Free Association with the Republic of Palau;   the agreements also outline how economic assistance is   administered to the nations by the U.S. Office of Insular   Affairs; and          WHEREAS, The COFA agreements are perpetual with a periodic   review of financial provisions; the most recent amendments to the   agreements were passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law   by former President Joe Biden on March 9, 2024, and they went   into effect on March 18, 2024; the amendments ensured that   veterans living in the COFA islands could access VA medical   services, and they restored and extended federal domestic   services such as SNAP, TANF, FEMA, and in-state tuition; the   amendments also strengthened U.S. Indo-Pacific influence by   enhancing U.S. military presence in the COFA nations; and          WHEREAS, An estimated 94,000 non-immigrant legal permanent   residents from COFA nations currently live in the U.S. and its   territories; of that population, approximately 5,000 live in and   contribute to the State of Texas and the United States as a whole   through various employment sectors, including technical and   professional fields; in addition, many COFA islanders serve in   the U.S. military and are stationed at bases in Texas; in 2019,   the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas   Legislature adopted resolutions acknowledging the historical   significance of the COFA agreements; and          WHEREAS, Texas and the United States have benefited   immeasurably through decades of unwavering friendship with the   Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the   Federated States of Micronesia, and it is a pleasure to join in   recognizing the many contributions of Texas residents who trace   their heritage to the COFA nations; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby express support for the protection of COFA   islanders residing in Texas and affirm their rights afforded   under the Compact of Free Association agreements; and, be it   further          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature,   hereby recognize March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.     Johnson, Eckhardt, West                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on March 18, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate