HR559 - Expressing support for the protection of COFA islanders residing in Texas, reaffirming their rights afforded under the Compacts of Free Association, and recognizing March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.

      H.R. No. 559       R E S O L U T I O N          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 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 House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   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 House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby recognize March 18, 2025, as COFA Day in Texas.     Buckley     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 559 was adopted by the House on May   19, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 122, Nays 1, 4 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House