[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2008

  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, 50 years ago on September 11, 1958, 
President Dwight D. Eisenhower went before the Nation in a radio-
television broadcast to speak to the matter of what we today refer to 
as the Second Taiwan Crisis. The Second Taiwan Crisis was when mainland 
China had been shelling Taiwan's Quemoy and Matsu Islands for almost 3 
weeks. Records from the Republic of China report that over the course 
of the Second Taiwan Crisis, there were 3,000 civilian and 1,000 
military casualities.
  President Eisenhower explained that the United States would not waver 
in its commitment to assist Taiwan in its struggle to remain free of 
communist domination.
  Taiwan, and the islands of Penghu, Quemoy and Matsu have been home of 
the Republic of China, ROC, ever since the Chinese nationalists, under 
General Chiang Kai-shek, lost their battle to secure democracy on the 
Chinese mainland to Mao Zedong in that Nation's civil war, which ended 
in 1949.
  President Eisenhower strongly reaffirmed the United States support of 
Chiang Kai-shek and his ROC government, noting, ``Some misguided 
persons have said that Quemoy is nothing to become excited about,'' but 
pointed out their error, warning that the Red Chinese, under Mao Zedong 
were using the attacks on the islands to test the free world's courage 
in resisting aggression. President Eisenhower stated that it was the 
opinion of his government that the bombardment and blockade of Quemoy 
and Matsu were not so much a genuine attempt to conquer the Taiwanese 
islands, but were as part of a plan ``to liquidate all of the free 
world positions in the Western Pacific.''
  In a firm statement of policy, President Eisenhower promised U.S. 
allies that there would be ``no Pacific Munich.'' Eisenhower also 
expressed a sincere hope for ``negotiations'' for peaceful and 
honorable solutions, directly or through the U.N.
  Americans have not forgotten the free China on Taiwan, but need to be 
``reminded'' of it. And while many today fail to grasp the difference 
between the ROC and the People's Republic of China they need to know 
that it is the difference between freedom and communism.
  Today, having recently elected its third president, Taiwan is a 
thriving democratic republic. As citizens of United States of America, 
we must insure that Taiwan is assisted in its desire to remain a 
democratic nation. To that end, we will hold faith with the Taiwan 
Relations Act.
  When running for the Republican nomination as President of the United 
States, George W. Bush was asked on national TV what he would do if 
push ever came to shove with mainland China on Taiwan--in other words, 
what would he be willing to do if the communist PRC ever threatened to 
take over the ROC on Taiwan. He responded in clear and concise 
language: ``Whatever it takes.''
  Thus, as Taiwan celebrates the 50th anniversary of the August 23, 
1958, Bombardment War, we join with Taiwan's President Ma, in his 
August 23, 2008, visit to Quemoy, where he will personally salute his 
nation's military, all the citizens of Taiwan and their United States 
military allies, in their ongoing struggle for self-determination.
  Henceforth, let the word go forth that at one time there were people 
willing to sacrifice, even to death, to protect what they considered 
payment towards a future of freedom, one not dictated by any outside 
``detractor,'' but by those of a citizenry choosing their destiny. Nor 
should the world forget that today, because of their sacrifice, Taiwan 
is a free democratic republic.
  God has blessed the world with a free, vibrant and productive society 
in the democratic people on all the islands of Taiwan. May the citizens 
of Taiwan live long in freedom.

                          ____________________