Although the 2022 legislative session was due to end on Sunday, April 3, by last Friday it became evident that too many budget questions remained to finish the session on time. We passed a resolution to extend the session until Friday, April 8, and we also loosened some deadlines on bills that needed to be considered and passed.
One of the highlights of the week for me was introducing my colleagues to the delegation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). It was the equivalent of having an ambassador pay us a visit. I was honored to introduce Robert Lo, director general of TECO; Andrea Yang, director of the Education Division; Benjamin Hsu, director of the Economic Division; and Michelle Lu, consular officer.
This group represents the government outreach branch of Taiwan, the Republic of China, serving in an embassy-like role. The United States has had a productive relationship with Taiwan since the late 1940s, when we recognized the thriving multiparty democracy as an independent nation. It is unlike mainland China in that it embraces a free market and is a thriving democracy.
Mississippi has been the beneficiary of this cordial relationship between the U.S. and the Taiwanese people. Over $45 million in Mississippi agricultural products are shipped to the country annually.
While some countries have had issues with computer chip production, Taiwan has continued to supply much of the world’s inventory in a timely manner.
As a result of this outreach, we formed a 20-member Mississippi-Taiwan friendship caucus, organized with Democrats, Republicans and independent members. I look forward to working with this group to further enhance our state’s relationship with this free nation.
I authored and cosponsored House Bill 1323 creating the Tallahatchie River Authority, which will be empowered to do any and all things necessary or desirable in effectuating a plan for the comprehensive development of the resources of the authority’s geographic region, including, but not limited to, such subjects as tourism, economic development, forestry, drainage and land reclamation and preservation, bank stabilization, electric power utilization, water conservation, recreation, public health and education, such programs of development to be carried on in cooperation with the appropriate local, state and federal agencies.
This area touched by the Tallahatchie and the Little Tallahatchie rivers have needed a coordinated effort to enhance the local economies and quality of life for our citizens. I believe this Authority will help to serve that purpose with the support of the people of the area.
The House and Senate earlier passed resolutions condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. No longer confined to the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, we are now in a world where we can all see the viciousness of war via on-the-ground coverage shot by citizens with cell phones and beamed around the world on a 24/7 basis. The ravages of war are real and horrifying, and we do not yet know the final outcome of the carnage in Ukraine. I am very proud that our state legislature has staked our position against aggression and the war crimes being perpetrated against innocent citizens by an out-of-control autocrat and his minions.
If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me. My email is tureynolds2@gmail.com. My address is P.O. Drawer 280, Charleston, MS 38921. My phone number is 662-647-3203.
