HCR125 - Urging the U.S. Department of Defense and national security leadership to recognize the essential role Texas plays in defense innovation and to maintain and expand investment in the state's defense research, development, and operational infrastructure.

  89R21198 TBO-D     By: Wilson H.C.R. No. 125       CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The State of Texas is a vital hub for national   security and defense innovation; and          WHEREAS, Texas is home to the U.S. Army Futures Command, the   "Third Coast" of the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense   Innovation Unit, and 17 additional military branches and   intelligence entities seeking advanced solutions to modern   security challenges; these units have demonstrated a thorough   understanding of the defense and intelligence needs of the United   States, and they have benefited from the valuable contributions of   Texas-based researchers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, small   business owners, and large defense companies; and          WHEREAS, Over the years, the State of Texas has made   significant investments in defense innovation, advanced   manufacturing, energy, commercial space technologies,   semiconductors, drones, and advanced air mobility; the state has   cultivated top-tier talent and businesses that have proven to be   crucial to our national security; in addition, a number of the   state's enterprises have collaborated with national agencies to   deliver economic advantages in cost and technology; and          WHEREAS, The recent reprioritization of the federal defense   budget could potentially lead to the erosion of Texas' role in   defense innovation, resulting in the loss of crucial units and   programs that have bolstered military and intelligence readiness,   technological advancement, solutions, and economic growth; the   departure of these critical defense entities would not only weaken   the nation's ability to rapidly develop and deploy cutting-edge   capabilities but also undermine the state's contributions to   national security and the economy; and          WHEREAS, Texas is poised to lead the next generation of   breakthroughs in military technology, force modernization, and   strategic capabilities, and the federal government should continue   to support the state in its efforts to sustain and strengthen   defense innovation; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Department of Defense and   national security leadership to recognize the essential role Texas   plays in defense innovation and to maintain and expand investment   in the state's defense research, development, and operational   infrastructure at the U.S. Army Futures Command, Defense Innovation   Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, AFWERX, National Security   Agency, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, NavalX,   U.S. State Department Emerging Technologies, Central Intelligence   Agency, Operational Test Command, Army Research Lab, U.S. Marine   Tech Bridge, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Sixteenth   Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), U.S. Space Force, U.S. Defense Health   Agency, and Brooke Army Medical Center; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an   official copy of this resolution to the U.S. Secretary of Defense,   to the President of the United States, and to the Texas   congressional delegation.