[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 97TH NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise as a senior member of 
the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the House Taiwan 
caucus, to honor the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan)--a strong 
strategic partner and ally not only to the United States but also among 
the democratic nations of our world--as they prepare to celebrate their 
97th National Day on October 10th.
  Taiwan's National Day, also known as Double Ten Day for its date on 
October 10th, marks the start of the revolution that toppled the Qing 
dynasty and established the Republic of China, the first republic in 
Asia. Many Chinese on Taiwan have compared the celebration of this day 
with our own Independence Day and celebrate with the notable spectacle 
of parades and fireworks.
  It has been nearly a century since October 10, 1911 and the ROC on 
Taiwan has become a full-fledged democracy. Just twenty some years ago, 
Taiwan was a closed authoritarian society with no freedom of speech, no 
freedom of assembly, and no right to vote. It now has robust political 
parties, and virtually every office in Taiwan is contested through free 
and fair elections. This past March, Taiwan successfully concluded the 
fourth popular election for president since 1996, showing once again 
her unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom. May Taiwan long 
continue to be a beacon of prosperity and freedom for all of Asia.
  I believe that all Americans should be proud that Taiwan and the 
United States have enjoyed such a strong and durable relationship. 
Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners and the cultural 
exchanges between our two peoples are as vibrant as they have ever 
been. We are committed to defending Taiwan under the framework of the 
Taiwan Relations Act, and we are fully committed to a peaceful solution 
of the Taiwan issue; no military conflict should ever occur in the 
Taiwan Strait.
  Taiwan has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States to 
combat the scourge of global terrorism; and the people of Taiwan have 
always given generously in our greatest times of need with monetary 
contributions to the Twin Towers Fund, Pentagon Memorial Fund and 
through offer of humanitarian assistance to victims of Hurricane 
Katrina. Taiwan and the United States are not merely allies; we are 
friends and partners in the truest sense of the words.
  I have been a long-time supporter of Taiwan and hope that my 
colleagues and I will continue to improve relations not only between 
the United States and Taiwan but between Taiwan and the international 
community. It is imperative that the United States take more active 
steps to support Taiwan's ongoing efforts to participate in the World 
Health Organization, the United Nations, and the Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) group and other regional and multi-national 
organizations. It is regrettable that Taiwan has been excluded from 
these organizations. It has been a gross injustice to deny Taiwan's 23 
million people their proper voice in the world.
  I myself have been to Taiwan on numerous occasions and have supported 
the work of its leaders through tremendous challenges, particularly in 
reference to cross-strait relations. As we continue to work toward 
solutions in this region of the world, let us commemorate and remember 
the ongoing commitment to democracy exemplified by Taiwan.
  Madam Speaker, I would ask all of my colleagues to join me now to 
thank the people of Taiwan for their friendship, to congratulate them 
on the 97th Anniversary of National Day, and to renew our commitment to 
further develop and strengthen the bonds between our two peoples.




                          ____________________