[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9821-H9823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EXTENDING CONDOLENCES TO TAIWAN ON TYPHOON

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 733) expressing condolences to the people and 
government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the aftermath of the 
devastating typhoon that struck the central and southern regions of the 
island on August 8, 2009, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 733

       Whereas Typhoon Morakot hit the island of Taiwan on August 
     8, 2009, dropping approximately 2.6 meters or 102 inches of 
     rain, more than half the average annual rainfall in many 
     places;
       Whereas central and southern Taiwan were hardest hit by the 
     storm;
       Whereas mudslides overwhelmed some places in south Taiwan, 
     including the village of Hsiaolin, where 247 homes were lost;
       Whereas floods or mudslides damaged more than 191,936 
     homes;
       Whereas infrastructure and farm losses alone have totaled 
     approximately $46,500,000,000 in Taiwanese dollars to date;
       Whereas the devastation left by Typhoon Morakot is the 
     worst the island has seen in 50 years;
       Whereas as of late August 2009, the official death toll 
     reached 602 with an additional 81 missing, where many of 
     those are believed to be buried by mud in the village of 
     Hsiaolin, which was almost completely covered in a mudslide 
     triggered by several days of extremely heavy rainfall;
       Whereas beginning on August 22, 2009, Taiwan held a three-
     day mourning period in memory of those who were killed in 
     mudslides and floods after Typhoon Morakot;
       Whereas the United States assisted efforts by providing 
     Marine Corps C-130 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station 
     Futenma on Okinawa to deliver humanitarian relief supplies in 
     addition to KC-130 aircraft and MH 53 and MH 60 helicopters 
     from strategic United States bases located in Japan;
       Whereas on March 24, 2009, the House of Representatives 
     passed H. Con. Res. 55 to mark the 30th anniversary of the 
     enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8), 
     codifying in law the basis for continued commercial, 
     cultural, and other relations between the United States and 
     the Republic of China (Taiwan); and
       Whereas Taiwan has been a steadfast ally of the United 
     States and a responsible and compassionate member of the 
     world community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) mourns the terrible loss of life caused by Typhoon 
     Morakot that occurred on August 8, 2009, in Taiwan;
       (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the families of 
     the many victims;
       (3) recognizes the deep ties between the United States and 
     Taiwan and expresses continued solidarity with its people 
     during this time of crisis; and
       (4) expresses gratitude to the people of the United States 
     who have generously supported those humanitarian aid agencies 
     working to assist the people of Taiwan in this time of need.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

                              {time}  1100


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This resolution expresses condolences to the victims of the 
devastating typhoon that struck Taiwan on August 8, 2009. I would like 
to thank my good friend, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for sponsoring this 
important resolution that allows the House to voice its support for 
Taiwan and its people.
  Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan on August 8 and deluged the island with 
over 8 feet of rain. The loss of life and destruction of property in 
the wake of the typhoon has been devastating and is the worst that 
Taiwan has seen in 50 years. The central and southeastern parts of 
Taiwan were hardest hit by the storm, with floods and mudslides 
damaging almost 200,000 homes. The official death toll is over 600, and 
there are still 81 people missing.
  The United States assisted recovery efforts in Taiwan by providing 
humanitarian relief supplies and heavy-lift helicopters to the disaster 
areas.
  I want to extend my deepest condolences to all of the families that 
lost loved ones caused by the typhoon and to those who have lost their 
homes. The people of the United States stand in solidarity with the 
Taiwanese people as they undertake the painstaking process of recovery, 
and we stand ready to advocate further assistance for the recovery 
process if needed.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I also rise in strong support of this resolution addressing the 
recent natural disaster of typhoon winds and mudslides that struck 
Taiwan. This resolution expresses our sincere condolences to our 
Taiwanese friends who lost loved ones, homes, and businesses due to the 
devastation which struck the island on August 8. At least 602 people 
were killed, 81 others are missing, and over 190,000 homes were damaged 
or destroyed in the fury of the storm and in the aftermath of 
mudslides. Over 100 inches of rain turned streams into raging rivers 
which destroyed everything in their path. Whole villages were inundated 
by floodwaters and mud.
  But, Mr. Speaker, the people of the United States feel those 
sympathies even more deeply today at a time when so many of our fellow 
Americans are suffering from tragic and deadly flooding in Georgia and 
Tennessee, and our deepest condolences go to our neighbors in the 
South.
  On Taiwan, it is noteworthy that for the first time since official 
ties with Taiwan were severed in 1979, the United States dispatched 
humanitarian relief to the island to aid the victims of the typhoon. In 
response to this critical emergency for our Taiwan friends, the U.S. 
Marine Corps, based in Okinawa, sent two C-130s to southern Taiwan to 
deliver relief supplies. The amphibious transport ship USS Denver was 
also dispatched to the area and provided helicopters to engage in 
humanitarian operations as well. Thus, these deeply tragic 
circumstances served as a means to demonstrate the enduring, the 
unbreakable ties which exist between the people of the United States 
and the people of Taiwan.
  In this 30th anniversary year of the Taiwan Relations Act, Mr. 
Speaker, the United States can do no less than to continue to aid the 
people of Taiwan in their hour of need. I urge all of my

[[Page H9822]]

colleagues to join us in vigorous support of this timely and heartfelt 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my dear friend, Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen, and also Ms. Watson. And I would like to thank my 
distinguished cochairman of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus, Dr. 
Gingrey, for introducing this very timely resolution. I see Ms. Berkley 
here also, the other cochairman, along with Mr. Wexler.
  We hold very deep in our hearts our relationship, the United States' 
relationship with the Republic of China. The people of the Republic of 
China, Taiwan, have suffered tremendously due to this horrible typhoon. 
As Ms. Ros-Lehtinen pointed out, from our military base in Japan, the 
United States Armed Forces, representing the people of the United 
States, took humanitarian assistance to the Republic of China, Taiwan. 
We will always, in this Congress, stand with our friends, our allies. 
We have no better friend than the people of the Republic of China, 
Taiwan.
  So we take this opportunity, as our hearts go out here to the victims 
of the flooding in Georgia and the United States, to remember the 
victims of the horrible flooding in the typhoon of August on the island 
of Taiwan, and we reaffirm our friendship and solidarity with the 
people of the Republic of China, Taiwan.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for sponsoring this resolution, and I yield 2 
minutes to the gentlewoman from Las Vegas, Nevada (Ms. Berkley).
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from California for 
yielding me this time, and I thank my colleague from Georgia (Mr. 
Gingrey) for his leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as cochairman of the Congressional Taiwan 
Caucus and in support of this resolution and in support of the people 
of Taiwan. It was a horrific and frightening thing to see the 
devastation that the typhoon wrought on Taiwan; over 600 dead, scores 
missing, and so many thousands hurt. Nearly 200,000 homes and 
businesses were damaged or destroyed. We mourn these losses and send 
our deepest condolences to the people and Government of Taiwan.
  At the same time, I am so proud of the United States of America, the 
fact that we sent timely aid and helicopters to help our friends in 
their recovery efforts. While the Taiwanese people are strong, 
certainly strong enough to recover completely on their own, I hope that 
as a friend of Taiwan, we will continue to show our support for them 
and help them through this difficult time.
  Taiwan is an important trade partner, fellow democracy, and a strong 
U.S. ally in a very volatile region of the world. It is my sincere hope 
that our two democracies, that our two countries, will continue to have 
a close and strong relationship for many years to come through the good 
times and the bad. This certainly is as bad as it gets, but it will get 
better.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes 
to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), the author of this 
important resolution.
  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Ros-
Lehtinen for yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 733, expressing condolences to the people and the Government of 
the Republic of China, Taiwan, in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot, 
which struck the central and southern region of the island on August 8, 
2009.
  Additionally, I want to thank Chairman Berman, Representative Watson, 
Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee 
for helping to bring this resolution to the floor today. As one of the 
four co-Chairs of the Taiwan Caucus, I want to express my gratitude to 
my fellow co-Chairs, Representatives Shelley Berkley, Lincoln Diaz-
Balart, and Robert Wexler, as well as RSC Chairman Tom Price for 
helping to marshal support for this resolution.
  Natural disasters like Typhoon Morakot are never respectful of 
persons or nations. Their devastation knows no political boundaries nor 
social divisions. In fact, as we debate this resolution, my mind cannot 
help but turn to my own home State of Georgia where historic rains and 
flooding have claimed the lives of 10, at the latest count, and caused 
hundreds of millions of dollars of damage while ravaging many 
communities in my district; in fact, four counties. So, Mr. Speaker, I 
rise not only with a sympathetic heart, but also with an empathetic 
heart for the people of Taiwan as they move forward after Typhoon 
Morakot caused flooding and mudslides that have claimed the lives of 
over 600,000 people and created billions of dollars of damage.
  While this resolution expresses condolences to the victims' families 
and mourns the loss of life, it also honors our Nation's deep ties and 
dedication to Taiwan. This dedication was reflected in the relief 
efforts provided by the U.S. military through helicopter and airlift 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, this past March, this House spoke in one voice with the 
passage of H. Con. Res. 55 that marked the 30th anniversary of the 
Taiwan Relations Act. It reinforced our Nation's deep-seated commitment 
to Taiwan and the defense of Taiwan.
  This resolution is another demonstration of that commitment and an 
expression of our sorrow for Taiwan's loss. My thoughts and prayers 
continue to go out to the people of Taiwan, as well as to the people of 
my home State as these waters begin to recede and its families and 
communities begin to put their lives back together.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the 
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and 
Trade.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. What 
this resolution does is to express the condolences on our part to the 
people and Government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, in the 
aftermath of this very devastating typhoon that struck this region and 
that affected so many families.
  Last month this typhoon ripped through South Asia, and it drowned 
that region in about 7 feet of rain. It killed over 600 people. 
Government officials called it the worst storm that has hit the island 
of Taiwan in over 50 years.
  Later today, this House of Representatives is going to take up a 
resolution expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 
killed during the storms and floods in the State of Georgia. So we know 
all too well that these storms can be devastating, and so it is with 
sorrow that we take up these two resolutions today.
  I rise today to express my heartfelt condolences, especially because 
Taiwan and the United States have such a valued partnership. For over 
half a century, this close relationship has brought significant 
economic advantages, I think, as well as cultural and political 
advantages to the people of Taiwan and the United States. We have seen 
in mere decades Taiwan go from poverty to prosperity; and, of course, 
with the Taiwan Relations Act, Taiwan will remain a close ally of the 
United States. It is a country, one of the few, that has gone from U.S. 
aid recipient to international provider of aid across the globe. 
Without question, Taiwan is one of our key partners in Asia.
  So again, we express our sincerest condolences to the people of 
Taiwan. This devastating typhoon may have ravaged the landscape and 
infrastructure, but it didn't rattle their will and determination.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Resolution 733, which expresses condolences to the people of Taiwan who 
suffered so much as a result of the devastating typhoon that struck the 
island last month.
  I visited Taiwan on August 20-22, 2009 as member of a congressional 
delegation led by the Honorable Howard Berman, chairman of the House 
Foreign Affairs Committee. At the time of our visit, Taiwan remained in 
the early stages of its response to typhoon Morakot, and the extent of 
the loss of life and damage done had yet to be fully determined. As we 
now know, Morakot was the deadliest typhoon to strike Taiwan ever 
recorded. Extreme

[[Page H9823]]

amounts of rain from the typhoon triggered enormous mudslides and 
severe flooding throughout southern Taiwan. In perhaps the worst single 
tragedy, one of those mudslides buried the entire town of Xiaolin, 
killing more than 500 people.
  Fortunately, during our brief visit to Taipei, all of us in the 
congressional delegation had a chance to express our personal 
condolences to the people of Taiwan while in meetings with President Ma 
Ying-jeou, Foreign Minister Francisco H.L. Ou, and Legislative Yuan 
President Wang Jin-pyng. With this resolution, now all Members of the 
House--on behalf of the people and government of the United States--
will have a chance to extend their sincerest condolences as well.
  As the resolution notes, and as we were told while in Taiwan, the 
United States was able to provide aircraft, helicopters, and other 
forms of assistance to speed the recovery efforts. And as we found out, 
one of the important factors enabling our swift and robust response was 
President Ma's success in working to reduce tensions across the Taiwan 
Straits.
  Taiwan expects the hard work of repair and reconstruction will 
continue for the next 3 years. But our friends in Taiwan should know 
that the United States and the American people understand their 
suffering and stand ready to continue assisting them as they repair the 
devastation wrought by the typhoon. For this reason, I urge my 
colleagues to support H. Res. 733.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 733, which expresses condolences to the people and government of 
the Republic of China, Taiwan, in the aftermath of the devastating 
typhoon that struck the central and southern regions of the island on 
August 8, 2009. I support this resolution because natural disasters 
know no boundaries and the tragedy that befell Taiwan appeals to our 
common humanity.
  After Typhoon Morakot landed on Taiwan at midnight on August 8 of 
this year, it dropped over 100 inches of rain on the island. To put 
that number in perspective, 100 inches is more than half the average 
annual rainfall of many places on the island. The torrential rain 
caused massive mudslides and floods, destroying roads, farms, 
businesses, and homes. This typhoon was the wettest in the history of 
Taiwan.
  Typhoon Morakot was particularly devastating in central and southern 
Taiwan. The world watched in horror as the reports came in. In the 
southern village of Hsiaolin, mudslides had destroyed almost all of the 
roughly 250 homes in the village, stranded thousands, and buried almost 
400 people alive. A rescue helicopter trying to reach villagers 
stranded in the mountains crashed, killing all three crew members. In 
all, estimates have put the devastation to infrastructure and farms 
totaling more than $46 billion and the national death toll over 600. A 
tragedy of that magnitude traumatized Taiwan and required an official 
period of 3 days to mourn the lost. This typhoon was the deadliest in 
Taiwan's history.
  I applaud the effort of the United States to help with the relief 
effort. The U.S. gave humanitarian assistance by providing military 
aircraft, planes and helicopters, to deliver relief supplies on the 
island. Our service men and women performed their job admirably and I 
am thankful for their solid performance.
  I would like for the people of Taiwan to know how very sorry we are 
that they have experienced this tragedy. Having witnessed first-hand 
the devastation brought by Hurricane Ike on my own district in Houston, 
Texas, and the surrounding areas, I know how a terrible natural 
disaster such as a typhoon can cause deep anguish. Moreover, from our 
experience witnessing Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, we know how 
the horror of weather-related devastation can scar a nation. My heart 
goes out to the families and the people of Taiwan.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for House 
Resolution 733 and to convey my deepest sympathies and sincerest wishes 
to the people of Taiwan who have been affected by Typhoon Morakot. I 
especially want to give my condolences to the families of the more than 
600 people who died in this devastating storm, particularly those who 
perished in the mudslide in Hsiaolin village.
  I wish the people of Taiwan well as they work to rebuild and recover 
from the worst typhoon to hit the island in 50 years. I am confident 
that the Taiwanese people will continue to come together to help those 
in need.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 733, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A resolution expressing 
condolences to the people and Government of Taiwan in the aftermath of 
the devastating typhoon that struck the central and southern regions of 
the island on August 8, 2009.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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