[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE'S THIRTY-SEVENTH NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the Republic of Singapore on its Thirty-seventh National Day, which 
will occur on August 9, 2002.
  As many Americans know, Singapore's National Day commemorates the 
date when Singapore became a separate, independent nation in 1965. In 
its short history as an independent nation, Singapore has achieved 
phenomena] economic growth. Bilateral trade between Singapore and the 
U.S. amounted to more than $42 billion in 2000, making Singapore the 
United States' tenth largest trading partner. Singapore is home to more 
than 1,400 U.S. corporations and 50% of all Singapore exports to the 
United States originate from U.S. companies. At end 2000, the 
cumulative stock of U.S. Direct Investment in Singapore stood at more 
than $23.2 billion.
  Since its founding as a free port in 1819 by a British East India 
Company official named Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Singapore's free 
trade status has been a major factor in its success. It has been a firm 
backer of U.S. international trade policy and, since December 2000, 
Singapore and the United States have been negotiating a U.S.-Singapore 
Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA). Nine rounds of negotiations have been 
concluded. The USSFTA will be the first free trade agreement (FTA) that 
the United States will sign with an Asian country. Not only will it 
cement the excellent state of economic relations between our two 
countries, the USSFTA will also send a strong signal of the strong 
strategic and defense relations that already exist. When concluded, the 
FTA will act as an anchor for continued U.S. economic presence in the 
Asia Pacific region.
  In addition to the vitally important trade relationship between the 
U.S. and Singapore, both nations have increasingly close security ties. 
Since 1992, U.S. military aircraft and naval vessels have, under the 
auspices of a 1990 Memorandum of Understanding, been given access to 
Singapore military facilities. Each year, Singapore plays hosts to 
numerous routine port calls by U.S. naval vessels and landings by U.S. 
military aircraft. Since 2001, Singapore's Changi Naval Base has been 
host to U.S. aircraft carriers, for maintenance and re-supply. The 
Singapore Navy made provisions to allow the berthing of U.S. aircraft 
carriers at their own expense, and to U.S. specifications. Over 100 
naval vessels use the facilities each year. Singapore has been 
unfailing in its support for the U.S. presence in the region--even at 
times when it has been unpopular to do so. With its strategic location 
in the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, it is hard to 
understand the significance of this security relationship with a nation 
in the center of these critically important shipping lanes.
  Even in the war on terrorism, Singapore has been steadfast. In 
December 2001, Singapore arrested 13 terrorists who were targeting 
various U.S. military, diplomatic and commercial assets. The government 
of Singapore has also been unwavering in its moral, logistical and 
financial support for the global war on terrorism.
  On a more personal note, I have had the chance to meet with the 
current Ambassador from Singapore, Ms. Chan Heng Chee. She has ably 
represented Singapore in Washington since 1996, years in which our 
trade and security ties with Singapore have grown extensively. The 
highlight of her service will be the signing of the FTA, which will 
hopefully be completed soon. I look forward to working with her on this 
and other issues between our two countries.
  Mr. Speaker, given the importance of our relationship with Singapore, 
I rise today to congratulate the Republic of Singapore on its Thirty-
seventh National Day and to urge my colleagues in joining me in my 
salute to one of our important allies and trading partners.

                          ____________________