[House Hearing, 106 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
MARKUP ON: H. CON. RES. 292 AND H.R. 3707
=======================================================================
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2000
__________
Serial No. 106-123
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/
international_relations
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
65-672CC WASHINGTON : 2000
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman
WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa TOM LANTOS, California
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American
DAN BURTON, Indiana Samoa
ELTON GALLEGLY, California MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
DANA ROHRABACHER, California SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY, Georgia
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
PETER T. KING, New York PAT DANNER, Missouri
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama
MARSHALL ``MARK'' SANFORD, South BRAD SHERMAN, California
Carolina ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
MATT SALMON, Arizona STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, New Jersey
AMO HOUGHTON, New York JIM DAVIS, Florida
TOM CAMPBELL, California EARL POMEROY, North Dakota
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
KEVIN BRADY, Texas GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina BARBARA LEE, California
PAUL E. GILLMOR, Ohio JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
GEORGE RADANOVICH, California JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
Richard J. Garon, Chief of Staff
Kathleen Bertelsen Moazed, Democratic Chief of Staff
Hillel Weinberg, Senior Professional Staff Member and Counsel
Jill Quinn, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
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WITNESSES
Page
H. Con. Res. 292................................................. 1
H.R. 3707........................................................ 6
APPENDIX
H. Con. Res. 292................................................. 12
The Honorable Doug Bereuter, Committee on International Relations
Markup of H. Con. Res. 292 Statement on the Resolution......... 16
Amendment to H. Con. Res. 292 offered by Mr. Gilman and Mr.
Gejdenson...................................................... 18
China prints plan to attack Taiwan............................... 19
H.R. 3707........................................................ 22
Amendment to H.R. 3707 offered by Mr. Bereuter.................. 26
Statement on H.R. 3707 American Institute in Taiwan Facilities
Enhancement Act, the Honorable Doug Bereuter................... 28
MARKUP ON: H. CON. RES. 292 AND H.R. 3707
----------
Thursday, March 23, 2000
House of Representatives,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, D.C.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room
2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Benjamin A. Gilman
(Chairman of the Committee) presiding.
Mr. Gilman. The Committee will come to order.
The Committee on International Relations meets in open
session pursuant to notice to markup two measures. Our two
measures today are H. Con. Res. 292, congratulating President-
elect Chen Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of
Taiwan and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and
the People's Republic of China, and H.R. 3707, to authorize
funds for the site selection and construction of a facility in
Taipei, Taiwan suitable for the mission of the American
Institute in Taiwan.
We will first proceed with H. Con. Res. 292 relating to the
recent elections in Taiwan. The Chair lays the resolution
before the Committee. The clerk will report the title of the
resolution.
Ms. Bloomer. H. Con. Res. 292, a resolution congratulating
the people of Taiwan for the successful conclusion of
Presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and reaffirming
United States policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of
China.
Mr. Gilman. This resolution was referred to the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and considered yesterday.
It was reported without amendment, without objection. A
preamble and operative language of the resolution will be read
in that order for amendment. The clerk will read.
Ms. Bloomer. Whereas, section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations
Act states the preservation and enhancement of the human rights
of all of the people on Taiwan to be an objective of the United
States.
Mr. Gilman. Without objection, the resolution is
considered as having been read and is open to amendment at any
point. This measure was introduced by the gentleman from Texas,
the distinguished Majority Leader, Mr. Armey.
[The bill appears in the appendix.]
I now recognize the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter,
the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific to
introduce it to the Committee.
Mr. Bereuter. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I move to strike the last word. This resolution was
introduced just yesterday by the Majority Leader, Mr. Armey of
Texas. Following introduction of the resolution, the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific met, marked-up, and
reported this resolution by voice vote.
Both myself and Mr. Lantos, the distinguished Ranking
Minority Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific are
Co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 292, as are other Members of the
Subcommittee, including Mr. Rohrabacher and Dr. Cooksey.
Indeed, I would like to point out to the Committee colleagues
that this resolution is a product of input from both the
Majority and Minority. The resolution congratulates the people
of Taiwan and Taiwan's leaders for the successful conclusion of
their Presidential election of March 18th.
This, of course, is an historic point because it marks a
free election by the Chinese, succeeding another free election.
Of course, those are precedents. It is the first such
transition of a national office from one elected leader to
another in a very long history of Chinese societies. It
actually marks a move from leadership from one party to another
in Taiwan. The people of Taiwan are to be congratulated for
their continuing efforts in developing and sustaining a free
democratic society which respects human rights and embraces
free markets. Contrary to the claims of those trying to defend
Communism and other authoritarian forms of government, the
election clearly demonstrates that democracy works, and that
the Chinese people--those on Taiwan, and those on the
mainland--yearn for it and could flourish with it.
Success of democracy in Taiwan is indeed I think a powerful
model for the mainland. The resolution also acknowledges that a
stable and peaceful security environment in East Asia is
essential to the furtherance of democratic developments in
Taiwan and other countries, and reaffirms U.S. policy toward
Taiwan as set forth in the Taiwan Relations Act.
In this regard, the resolution appropriately expresses a
sense of Congress that the People's Republic of China should
not make provocative threats against Taiwan and should
undertake steps that would lead to substantive dialogue--
including the renunciation of the use of force against Taiwan--
and encourage democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of
human and religious rights for the People's Republic of China.
I am encouraged that since the election in Taiwan, Beijing
has curtailed, to a certain degree, its aggressive and
unhelpful rhetoric, and that the PRC appears again, to a
certain degree, to be extending the offer for renewed dialogue.
It is an offer which I hope is offered in good faith. Across
the strait, President-elect Chen and others in Taipei are also
calling for renewed dialogue, and are already proposing the
kind of responsible statesmen-like policies that could expand
and accelerate this dialogue.
Mr. Chairman, this is a timely, needed, and straightforward
resolution. It passed without opposition in the Subcommittee. I
understand the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member, Mr.
Gejdenson, will offer an amendment which corrects a technical
drafting error and also makes another change in language that
is more appropriate. By the way, the amendment has the support
of Mr. Armey. I thank my two colleagues, the leaders of the
Committee, for offering the amendment. I urge the Committee to
support the amendment and adopt the resolution.
Thank you. I yield back.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Bereuter appears in the
appendix.]
Mr. Gilman. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter.
Mr. Lantos. Mr. Lantos. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I am delighted to join my good friend and colleague from
Nebraska in urging my colleagues to support this resolution. I
would like to say a few things because the resolution is
subject to misunderstanding on many scores. Taiwan represents
one of the great success stories of the post-World War II era.
Taiwan, which used to be a destitute, primitive, backward
society has become one of the great economic success stories of
the last Century. In its last decade, Taiwan has become one of
the great political success stories by becoming a full-fledged
democracy. From an American point of view, there is nothing
that could be more desirable than to see an under-developed
autocracy become a developed democracy.
This stands in sharp contrast with the continuing
authoritarian and dictatorial government which rules in
Beijing. I think our resolution needs to be viewed as one of
congratulating the people of Taiwan on having attained both a
very high degree of economic development, and creating a
functioning political democracy.
There is a free press in Taiwan, contrary to mainland
China. There are political alternatives in Taiwan, contrary to
mainland China. I think it is high time that some in this
country recognize that the leadership in Beijing is hanging on,
as the Soviet leadership did, not too many years ago, to a
nonfunctioning and fundamentally unacceptable regime,
unacceptable to its own people, which sooner or later, and I
hope sooner, will give way to a multi-party functioning
democracy on the mainland.
I think it is important to realize, Mr. Chairman, the
extent to which the leadership on the mainland is out of touch
with the people. Both within its own country and on Taiwan
there were threats issued by the government in Beijing
concerning this election just a few days before that election.
As some of us predicted, those crude threats became highly
counter-productive.
I congratulate the people of Taiwan for having the courage
to stand up to the threats of the mainland and elect the person
they chose to elect. The reaction, I think, in our own country
to these crude threats by the Chinese Communist regime I am
convinced are similarly negative.
Beijing, at long last, must understand that its threats do
not work. That it must recognize the people's desire to
function in a free and democratic fashion. This means religious
groups must be allowed their freedom. This means that
practitioners of Falnm Gong must no longer be persecuted. This
means that followers of all faiths need to have the freedom to
practice their religion. It also means that the handful of
incredibly courageous individuals who expressed views contrary
to this regime need to be released.
Our resolution is pro-Chinese people. I personally have the
highest regard for the Chinese civilization. It is one of the
great civilizations of this world. It is one of the historic
tragedies of this period that these great people are ruled by
an autocratic and dictatorial regime. I strongly urge my
colleagues to support this resolution which recognizes the
enormous achievements of the people of Taiwan, and holds out
the promise for the people of China.
Mr. Gilman. Thank you, Mr. Lantos.
Mr. Gilman. Mr. Delahunt.
Mr. Delahunt. I have no comment.
Mr. Gilman. Are there any other Members seeking
recognition?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. If not, I would note that I am pleased to
bring this measure before the Committee today for
consideration. I want to thank our Majority Leader, Mr. Armey
of Texas, for introducing the timely resolution, and express my
appreciation to the Chairman of our Asia and the Pacific
Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, for expeditiously considering the
resolution in the Subcommittee.
I congratulate the people of Taiwan on a very successful
election and for taking another step in consolidating their
democratic evolution. They should be very proud of their
democracy, registering an 80 percent voter turn-out. I wish we
could have a similar turn-out in our own Nation. On May 20th,
for the first time in Taiwan's history, the mantle of power is
going to be passing from one democratically elected president
to another.
This peaceful transfer of power will be taking place
despite the provocative attempts by the government of Beijing
to intimidate Taiwan's voters and influence the outcome of
their election. The new government of Chen Shui-bian faces many
challenges as it ascends to office. I want to commend the
President-elect for his proposal of embarking on a journey of
reconciliation with China, and for his offer to meet with
China's leaders.
Talks should only go forward in a pace and scope acceptable
to the parties on both sides of the Strait. I want to encourage
the PRC to exercise restraint; to avoid fanning the flames of
nationalism over Taiwan in an effort to divert attention from
some of their own internal problems in China; to open a
dialogue with Taipei; and to end its military threats toward
that island.
As has been longstanding American policy, it is essential
that the future of Taiwan be determined in a peaceful and
mutually agreeable manner to the people on both sides of the
Strait. Let me close by saying that I hope the world will take
appropriate notice of what has yet transpired in Taiwan, as
just another Asian nation has fully embraced democratic
principles and practices, further proving that democracy is not
an Eastern or Western value, as some might contend, but a
universal value and a right of people everywhere.
We especially hope that the 1.2 billion people of the PRC
and their unelected government take particular notice of the
model Taiwan provides for China's future. We call upon the
Administration to work productively with the new government and
to treat Mr. Chen as an equal partner in addressing cross-
strait issues.
Last, I would like to be added to the list of Co-sponsors
of this important resolution. I look forward to bringing it to
the Floor for consideration at an early date.
Is there any other Member seeking recognition?
Mr. Rohrabacher. I rise in support of this measure before
us today. Obviously, it is important for us, as you might say,
the premiere--outside of the British Parliament--the premiere
elected body in the world, to acknowledge that we have an
historic event taking place in Taiwan. China is, of course, a
country with the longest history of any country of the world.
The Chinese people are rightfully proud of their own
heritage. However, it has not been a democratic heritage.
Today, for the first time in this long history of China, there
is a government that has been elected and replaced, again,
through democratic elections. We have a new President-elect,
again, through democratic elections.
This is a phenomenal historic moment. I believe what has
happened on Taiwan could well be a model for all of the
billions of people in China. Perhaps this is why Beijing is so
bellicose and so belligerent at this point because they know
that once they see a group of Chinese people who are able to,
through the ballot box, help direct their own destiny, and
control the government policies of their own country, this
message will seep throughout the rest of the mainland of China.
I believe the ultimate solution to the friction that now is
taking place between the United States and China, and China and
its neighbors, and especially between Beijing and Taipei, the
ultimate solution is the democratization of the mainland. So,
this resolution today, taking note of this historic occasion,
is something that I totally support. Thank you Mr. Gilman.
The history books, I do not think, are ever going to
remember our names--we have a spot here in Congress--but
history will remember this election, because I think it is
going to lead to big and important things on the mainland of
China.
Mr. Gilman. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher.
Mr. Gejdenson, do you have some remarks?
Mr. Gejdenson. No comments, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Gilman. Any other Members seeking recognition?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. If not, I have an amendment at the desk. The
clerk will read the amendment.
Ms. Bloomer. Amendment to H. Con. Res. 292 offered by Mr.
Gilman and Mr. Gejdenson. In the fifth clause of the preamble,
strike ``head of state'' and insert ``President.''
[The amendment appears in the appendix.]
Mr. Gilman. The amendment will be considered as having
been read. The main purpose of this amendment is technical.
First, to expand ``House of Representatives'' to ``Congress'',
and Senate and House concurrent resolution, and change the term
``legal'' to ``statutory,'' which is more accurate.
Second, regarding China's provocative threats toward
Taiwan, Mr. Gejdenson and I have agreed to change some of the
wording in the second resolve clause to a broader declarative
statement stating that China should refrain, in a general
sense, from making provocative threats against Taiwan, and not
limit it to those threats contained in the State Council White
Paper.
Mr. Gejdenson, do you have any comments on the amendment?
Mr. Gejdenson. I think you have done an excellent job
explaining it, Mr. Chairman
Mr. Gilman. Is no one else seeking recognition?
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, I previously spoke my support
for your effort. I appreciate its intent and what it
accomplishes.
Mr. Gilman. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter.
The question is now on the amendment. All in favor, signify
by----
Mr. Rohrabacher. Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Gilman. Mr. Rohrabacher.
Mr. Rohrabacher. I would like to place in the record an
article that was taken from a People's Liberation Army weekly
publication in China that was just put all over China in which
the Plaintiff's Liberation Army is suggesting that attacks on
the United States may be necessary to accomplish their goals
with Taiwan, just so people understand how important the
measure is that we are talking about today.
Mr. Gilman. What is the date of that article?
Mr. Rohrabacher. It is a Knight-Ritter article about the
article in a March 20th weekly Chinese publication from the
People's Liberation Army.
Mr. Gilman. Without objection, the article will be made a
part of the record.
[The article referred appears in the appendix.]
Mr. Gilman. The question is on the amendment. All in
favor, signify in the usual manner.
[Chorus of ayes.]
Mr. Gilman. Opposed?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. The amendment is carried.
Any other amendments by any of the Members?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. If not, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr.
Bereuter, is recognized to offer a motion.
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chairman be
requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution as
amended on the suspension calendar.
Mr. Gilman. The question is on the motion by the gentleman
from Nebraska. All those in favor of the motion, signify in the
usual manner, by saying aye.
[Chorus of ayes.]
Mr. Gilman. All those opposed, say no.
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to.
Further proceedings on this measure are postponed.
Mr. Gilman. We will now consider H.R. 3707, relating to
the construction of the American Institute on Taiwan. The Chair
lays the bill before the Committee. The clerk will report the
title of the bill.
Ms. Bloomer. H.R. 3707, a bill to authorize funds for the
site selection and construction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan
suitable for the mission of the American Institute in Taiwan.
[The bill appears in the appendix.]
Mr. Gilman. Without objection, the first reading of the
bill is dispensed with. The clerk will read the bill for
amendment.
Ms. Bloomer. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America and Congress
assembled, section 1, short title.
Mr. Gilman. Without objection, the bill is considered as
having been read. It is open for amendment at any point. The
bill was in front of the Subcommittee on International
Operations and Human Rights, which is weighing further
consideration of it.
I now recognize the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter,
to introduce the bill.
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for
marking up this bill so expeditiously. I would like to express
my sincere appreciation to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Foreign Operations and Human Rights, the distinguished
gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, for his much appreciated
assistance in moving the bill forward so quickly and for
suggested minor refinements on pages 3 and 4 of the resolution.
Mr. Chairman, I believe it is important to note that the
United States' commitment to the security and well-being of the
people of Taiwan is enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA)
of 1979, a Congressional initiative which continues to be the
guide for our unofficial relations. The Taiwan Relations Act
established the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei, as a
nonprofit corporation to implement, on behalf of the United
States, any and all programs, transactions, and other relations
with Taiwan. In other words, to function as our unofficial
embassy in Taiwan. The current AIT facilities, which in some
cases consist of aging Quonset huts, are grossly inadequate,
and were not designed for the important functions that AIT
performs. They were built or occupied as temporary facilities
almost 50 years ago and are increasingly difficult and
expensive to maintain.
From the perspective of security, AIT fails miserably,
surrounded by taller buildings and lacking adequate setback.
Major, very cost-ineffective enhancements would be required to
bring it into compliance for security requirements. In fact, it
is an impossibility. The site is entirely inappropriate for
construction of a new facility. Because of our unique
relationship with Taiwan, characterized by the TRA, the State
Department is not able, under routine authority, to proceed
with planning and construction of a new facility for AIT.
The Congress must specifically appropriate and authorize
the necessary funds. While AIT has made a good faith effort to
set aside funds for the construction of a new office building,
and they have set aside about $25 million, these funds will
never be sufficient for even a modest but adequate complex that
is sufficient and secure enough to meet AIT's needs.
This resolution, which this Member introduced, has
bipartisan support. Although only recently introduced, the
resolution is Co-sponsored by the distinguished Ranking Member
of the Committee, Mr. Gejdenson, as well as other distinguished
Members of the Committee, including Mr. Lantos, Mr. Smith, and
Mr. Rohrabacher.
The bill authorizes $75 million for the planning, the
acquisition, and the construction of the new AIT facility.
Members should not be concerned about that figure. It is
perhaps conservative. I would tell my colleagues that the
facility for AIT cannot even get in line for future
construction projects, at this point, without authorization. It
will have to take its place in line with the other construction
needs of embassies and consulates around the world if we
authorize it. It cannot get its place in line until we do.
Over 20 years after the enactment of the TRA, our
unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan are stronger,
more robust, and more important than ever. It is a very
important visa post; one of the three or four most important in
the world in terms of number of visas processed. To reflect the
importance of these relations, as well as for the very
practical reasons of efficient and secure operations, the
Congress needs to act to authorize the lengthy effort to
upgrade our diplomatic facilities on Taiwan.
Mr. Chairman, I know we are short on time, but I do want to
make a statement now that is important. Recently, as is
apparent to all of us, we have been seized with issues
involving our relationship with Taiwan and China. Today
relatedly, we marked up in addition to this bill another
resolution which congratulates the people of Taiwan on the
success of their historic democratic elections.
We have also been concerned by the bellicose rhetoric from
Beijing that once again preceded the Taiwanese Presidential
elections. The House has also recently passed a properly
amended version of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA).
We are preparing for the upcoming debate on granting permanent
normal trade relations (PNTR) for China, as a part of that
country's succession to the WTO.
In view of all of these developments, now is the
appropriate time to send another message of our unshakable
long-term commitment to our critically important relations with
Taiwan. We are there in Taipei for as long as it takes. In the
judgment of this Member, Congress should and will work with the
Administration to approve permanent normal trade relations with
the PRC as a part of our support for its accession to the World
Trade Organization (WTO), just as we will support the near
simultaneity of Taiwan's accession to the WTO.
At the same time, it is very important that we make it
crystal clear to the PRC and the world that we are calmly but
resolutely standing at the side of Taiwan providing for the
sale of necessary defensive weapons to wit: to defend itself
against all hostile or coercive actions to enforce its
reunification with PRC through any process that is not a
peaceful, noncoercive one.
We are, by our recent actions regarding Taiwan, making our
continued, positively supported, TRA-driven relationship with
Taiwan unambiguous. We are proceeding on a two-track Taiwan-PRC
policy, resolutely, unflinchingly, unabashedly standing by
Taiwan's side while demonstrating our willingness to engage
with the PRC in a great variety of ways when it is in our
national interest and consistent with our regional stabilizing
role to do so.
We have benign motives in our great interest in Asia. As a
super power, we will act like one and defend our national
interest in the region and support all of our loyal allies.
Mr. Berman. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. Bereuter. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman.
Mr. Berman. One way to further clarify that two-track
policy that you articulated is that, in the event that we
accord permanent normal trade relations status to the PRC, we
make it quite clear in the decision that automatically, not by
virtue of action of the Chief Executive or subsequent action by
the Congress, but automatically, such status is revoked totally
if China invades, attacks, blockades Taiwan. They lose access
to all of the U.S. market.
Mr. Bereuter. I thank the gentleman for his comments. I
would just tell him that Congresswoman Dunn and I offered a
resolution about 10 days ago that you may want to consider as a
Co-sponsor which would provide the sense to Congress that
Taiwan's accession to the WTO ought to be simultaneous or
immediately thereafter.
Now, if the gentleman might want to consider an amendment
further to be more specifically on this track he could
certainly consider it. I would urge him to look at that
resolution.
Mr. Berman. Just further, I would look at that resolution
certainly, but I think that perhaps, quite legitimately, we are
very ambiguous in our response, should this attack occur, in
many ways. I think this is one area where we should be
unambiguous.
Mr. Bereuter. Unambiguous, right.
Mr. Berman. Even making it a sense of Congress leaves an
ambiguity. I would like to see it automatically invoked if
possible.
Mr. Bereuter. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Gilman. If there are no further comments, the
gentleman has an amendment.
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, I do offer an amendment.
Mr. Gilman. The clerk will read the amendment.
Ms. Bloomer: Amendment offered by Mr. Bereuter, page 3,
strike line 10 and all that follows to page 4, line 3, and
insert the following.
[The amendment appears in the appendix.]
Mr. Gilman. The amendment is considered as having been
read. Mr. Bereuter, on the amendment.
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, these recommendations come to
us from Mr. Smith and his staff. They relate to a reorientation
of the wording in sections (a) and (b), on pages 3 and 4, and
constituted no substantive change. I encourage the adoption
thereof.
Mr. Gilman. I support the amendment.
The question is on the amendment. All in favor, signify in
the usual manner.
[Chorus of ayes.]
Mr. Gilman. Opposed?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. The amendment is carried.
In support the amendment and appreciate the gentleman's
willingness to provide these kinds of appropriations. This
measure does have bipartisan support. I urge our Members to
support the bill as amended. The American Institute in Taiwan
serves such an important function. The mission should be
appropriately supported by the Congress, and no doubt the
current facility is inadequate.
Through its authorization of funds, this bill supports the
efforts to find a suitable location for a new facility. It
encourages the initiation of construction. We are looking
toward a long future with Taiwan. It is time to make a long-
range commitment and invest in a new facility to support that
relationship.
Are there any other Members seeking recognition?
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. If not, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr.
Bereuter, is recognized to offer a motion.
Mr. Bereuter. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that
my full statement be made a part of the record.
Mr. Gilman. Without objection.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Bereuter appears in the
appendix.]
Mr. Bereuter. I move that the Chairman be requested to
seek consideration of the pending resolution, as amended, on
the suspension calendar.
Mr. Gilman. The question is now on the motion from the
gentleman from Nebraska. All those in favor, signify in the
usual manner.
[Chorus of ayes.]
Mr. Gilman. Those opposed, say no.
[No response.]
Mr. Gilman. The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to.
Further proceedings on this measure are postponed.
The Committee now stands in recess. Pending the vote, we
will continue very shortly. The Committee is in recess.
[Whereupon, at 10:40 a.m., the Committee recessed, to
reconvene this same day after the vote.]
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A P P E N D I X
March 23, 2000
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