[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 55 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 55

     Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 23, 2009

   Ms. Berkley (for herself, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of 
 Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. 
 Engel, Mr. Royce, Mr. Sires, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. 
Mack, Mr. Payne, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Holden, Mr. Hinchey, and Mr. 
  Gingrey of Georgia) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Whereas April 10, 2009, will mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the 
        Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8), codifying in law the basis for 
        continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United 
        States and the Republic of China (Taiwan);
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, 
        security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 
        1979;
Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United 
        States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's 
        Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan 
        would be determined by peaceful means;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United 
        States to provide defense articles and defense services in such quantity 
        as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-
        defense capability;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that it is the policy of the United 
        States to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or other 
        forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or 
        economic system, of the people of Taiwan;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and Taiwan has strengthened 
        with--

    (1) Taiwan's evolution into a free society and a full-fledged, multi-
party democracy;

    (2) the development of Taiwan's robust free-market economy, with Taiwan 
becoming the ninth largest trading partner of the United States in 2007 and 
imports from the United States in that year totaling over $26,000,000,000;

    (3) Taiwan's determined effort and collaboration with the United States 
to combat global terrorism, as demonstrated in part by its participation in 
the Container Security Initiative and its generous contribution to the 
Pentagon Memorial Fund; and

    (4) the leadership role Taiwan has demonstrated in addressing 
transnational and global challenges, including its active engagement in 
humanitarian relief measures, public health endeavors, environmental 
protection initiatives, and financial market stabilization efforts; and

Whereas Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the second peaceful transfer of 
        power from one political party to another after the presidential 
        election in March 2008: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan 
        Relations Act as the cornerstone of United States relations 
        with Taiwan;
            (2) reaffirms its support for Taiwan's democratic 
        institutions; and
            (3) supports the strong and deepening relationship between 
        the United States and Taiwan.
                                 <all>