[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE REELECTION OF PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU OF THE REPUBLIC 
                                OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2012

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, on January 14, 2012, the Honorable Ma Ying-
jeou was elected to a second term as the President of the Republic of 
China. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President 
Ma and the people of Taiwan on the strength and vitality of their 
commitment to democracy.
  For over a half century, Taiwan has been a strong, democratic ally to 
the United States in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world. Our 
peoples have enjoyed a close friendship forged by our political, 
economic, cultural, and strategic ties. Taiwan's sustained economic and 
sociopolitical development has set an admirable exemplar that many 
countries seek to emulate. Taiwan's global scope and leadership has 
transcended many sectors, particularly healthcare. Taiwan boasts one of 
the most innovative and efficient healthcare systems in the world. As 
an advocate for building mutual relationships, I am confident that the 
U.S.-Taiwan bond will only become stronger with Taiwan's inclusion in 
the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Over 400,000 Taiwanese citizens visit the 
United States each year; this could increase by 20 to 30 percent once 
Taiwan gains admission into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
  As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, 
I know first-hand the importance this partnership holds for our 
Taiwanese-American communities. According to the 2010 Census there are 
approximately 230,000 Taiwanese-Americans currently living here in the 
United States, many of whom live in my home district in Silicon Valley. 
Taiwanese-Americans are frequently highly educated contributors to the 
vibrancy of the U.S. economy, and this is reflected in their sectors of 
employment. The majority of Taiwanese-Americans work in management, 
business, finance, information technology, sciences and engineering. As 
a representative of ethnically diverse Silicon Valley, I proudly join 
Taiwanese-Americans and the technology industry in celebrating the 
growing, collaborative economic relationship between the United States 
and Taiwanese companies.
  Many of these advances are attributed to President Ma's strong and 
visionary leadership during his first term as president. I commend 
President Ma and his Administration for their tremendous strides in 
working toward stability amidst international economic uncertainty and 
in strengthening cross-strait relations with the People's Republic of 
China. President Ma's reelection is a testament to the people of Taiwan 
supporting his efforts and leadership. In fact, Taiwan's presidential 
race elicited unprecedented grassroots organization, from everyday 
citizens to business executives, to rally support for President Ma's 
reelection. The Taiwanese people have truly spoken, and their approval 
of President Ma's rapprochement policy with the People's Republic of 
China is an encouraging beacon from which we can all learn from.
  Once again, I congratulate President Ma Ying-jeou and the people of 
the Republic of China for a highly celebrated election. I look forward 
to my upcoming visit to Taiwan and meeting with President Ma. It will 
be a pleasure to continue working with President Ma and his 
Administration to strengthen our U.S.-Taiwan partnership and ensure 
peace and stability for our peoples, the region, and the world.

                          ____________________