[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT MA'S FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF 
                                 TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 2009

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated as 
President of Republic of China (Taiwan) on May 20, 2008. During the 
last twelve months there has been a considerable reduction of tension 
across the Taiwan Strait and there have been productive talks between 
the two sides on issues such as direct airline flights, an economic 
accord protecting investments, more tourist visits by mainlanders to 
Taiwan.
  President Ma has also been working closely with the U.S. government. 
The mutual relationship between our two countries is strong. We hope 
that the relations will grow even stronger in all areas, including 
trade, science and technology, educational exchange, military sales and 
Taiwan's participation in international agencies.
  It is heartening to learn that Taiwan has been invited to attend this 
year's World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland from May 19 
to May 27 as an observer. This is a breakthrough for the Taiwanese 
government; it is Taiwan's first participation in a formal U.N activity 
since 1971, when the world body switched its recognition to mainland 
China.
  In celebrating President Ma's first anniversary in office, I join my 
Congressional colleagues in hoping that Taiwan's participation in the 
WHA this May will lead to Taiwan's future successes in returning to 
other international organizations.

                          ____________________