[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU ON HIS REELECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Taiwan 
President Ma Ying-jeou on being reelected as President of the Republic 
of China, also known as Taiwan, on January 14, 2012.
  This free and fair election continues Taiwan's long tradition of 
being a strong and stable democracy. On October 10, 2011 Taiwan 
celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. In the past century, 
Taiwan has matured into a free-market, multi-party democracy that is a 
model for the world. Taiwan is an important partner in maintaining 
peace and stability in the region.
  As a proud member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I have had the 
privilege to travel to Taiwan last year as part of a bipartisan 
delegation. I had the pleasure of meeting President Ma Ying-jeou and 
other government officials. I was strongly encouraged by their 
commitment to maintaining strong ties with the United States.
  As a Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I also discussed 
Taiwan's request for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program with 
President Ma. I raised my concerns with President Ma about the need to 
strengthen their passport security standards before I would be 
comfortable in supporting Taiwan's inclusion into the Visa Waiver 
Program.
  I was pleased to hear that Taiwan has strengthened their passport 
standards, and I was proud to send a letter with some of my colleagues 
to Secretary Clinton recommending that Taiwan be included in the Visa 
Waiver Program. On December 22, 2011, the U.S. State Department 
announced Taiwan's nomination for inclusion into the Visa Waiver 
Program.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
President Ma on his reelection as the President of Taiwan. I look 
forward to maintaining the strong U.S.-Taiwan relations under his 
leadership.

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