[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATING THE TWIN OAKS ESTATE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, this year will mark the 120 year 
anniversary of the Twin Oaks estate in Washington, D.C. Built in 1888 
by Mr. Gardiner Greene Hubbard, founder of the National Geographic 
Society, this 18-acre property was sold to the Republic of China in 
1947 after having been rented to the government of Taiwan for the 
previous 10 years.
  From 1937 through 1978, the Twin Oaks estate was the official 
residence of nine ROC ambassadors, who used it to host all types of 
functions in the interests of their government. Many agreements were 
discussed with the United States at this estate. However, during the 
winter of 1978, President Carter decided to switch diplomatic 
recognition from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of 
China.
  During this critical period, ROC senior diplomat Mr. H.Y. Yang stayed 
at Twin Oaks and negotiated with the administration and Congress to 
hammer out a foundation for the future of U.S.-Taiwan relations.
  Minister Yang's efforts gave birth to the enactment of the Taiwan 
Relations Act on April 10, 1979. The Act became the legal basis 
governing all types of relations between Taiwan and the U.S. It has 
enabled Taiwan to develop and prosper during the last 29 years. It also 
enabled the ROC government to retain the ownership of the Twin Oaks 
estate, which has continued to be a place for social gatherings and 
functions benefiting many in our nation's capital.
  Madam Speaker, the Twin Oaks estate on Woodley Road is not only a 
historic building in downtown Washington; it is also a symbol of the 
long standing friendship between the people of the United States and 
the people of Taiwan.

                          ____________________