[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 55 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 26, 2009

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         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 declares that peace and stability in the area 
        are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United 
        States, and are matters of international concern;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United 
        States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character 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 on Taiwan;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that ``it is the policy of the 
        United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly 
        commercial, cultural and other relations between the people on Taiwan, 
        as well as the people on the China mainland'';
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;

    (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 relations between the 
        United States and Taiwan;
            (2) reaffirms its support for Taiwan's democratic 
        institutions; and
            (3) supports the strong and deepening relationship between 
        the United States and Taiwan.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2009.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.