[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 1998

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 1998, I requested and was 
granted a leave of absence from the House of Representatives due to 
personal illness. Consequently, I missed the roll call vote on H. Con. 
Res. 301, which reaffirms our longstanding commitment to Taiwan. Had I 
been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 301.
  Taiwan has been one of our oldest and closest friends in Asia since 
1949. The people of Taiwan live in a free, democratic society.
  I was extremely disappointed by President Clinton's recent 
endorsement of mainland China's views on Taiwan. Before the President 
left for China, the House unanimously passed H. Con. 270, urging him to 
seek a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use 
of force, or threat of use of force, against Taiwan.
  In light of the President's actions, Congress must send a strong 
message to the People's Republic of China and the world that we intend 
to stand by our friends and allies. The United States must dispel any 
notion on the part of China's leaders that we will tolerate the use of 
force in determining the future of Taiwan. The people of Taiwan must be 
responsible for determining their own future in a peaceful and 
democratic fashion.
  H. Con. Res. 301 reaffirms the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act 
and reaffirms our commitment to the people of Taiwan.

                          ____________________