[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
                CHINA'S (TAIWAN) PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the first 
anniversary of the election of the Republic of China's (Taiwan) 
President Ma Ying-jeou. With close to 65,000 Taiwanese Americans in the 
Chicagoland area, I have closely observed President Ma's progress on 
the world stage during his first year in office.
  In just one year, the Harvard educated President Ma has made 
accomplishments in leaps and bounds to improve Taiwan's international 
standing in no small part because of his work to normalize relations 
with mainland China.
  Most recently, Taiwan has been accepted as an official observer at 
the World Health Assembly that will take place later this month in 
Geneva. The World Health Assembly, which is part of the World Health 
Organization, will give Taiwan's 23 million citizens a voice at this 
very important international forum.
  Also, in April, officials from China and Taiwan participated in the 
Chiang-Chen Talks. The talks resulted in the signing of the following 
agreements: (1) ``Agreement on Joint Cross-Strait Crime-fighting and 
Mutual Judicial Assistance;'' (2) the ``Cross-Strait Financial 
Cooperation Agreement;'' and, (3) the ``Supplementary Agreement on 
Cross-Strait Air Transport''. All of these agreements will result in 
improved coordination between the Taiwan Straits neighbors in the areas 
of law enforcement, financial exchanges and travel.
  Finally, President Ma's administration has successfully removed 
Taiwan from the Special 301 Watch List which is maintained by The 
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The removal from this list 
shows Taiwan's commitment to preventing the importing and exporting of 
illegally pirated materials such as DVDs and CDs.
  These are three of President Ma's many achievements during his first 
year in office. Please join me in congratulating, President Ma, on a 
very successful first year.

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