[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MARKING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL TAIWAN CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 10th 
anniversary of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
  Founded on April 9, 2001, the caucus was intended to serve as a forum 
to educate Members of Congress on issues affecting U.S.-Taiwan 
Relations, and to provide a platform for exploring ways to positively 
enhance and strengthen U.S. relations and cooperation with the 
government and people of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations 
Act. It has grown from 85 Members at the time of its establishment to 
the current roster of 155, making it the second largest country caucus 
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  In the past 10 years, the membership of the Congressional Taiwan 
Caucus has remained solidly bipartisan, reflecting the broad and stable 
consensus in the U.S. Congress regarding the importance of Taiwan. 
Through the issuance of various joint letters, its agenda has focused 
first and foremost on maintaining faithful adherence to legal 
obligations and policy principles of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, as 
well as the 1982 ``Six Assurances'' to Taiwan. Together, these two 
documents form the cornerstone of our relationship with the people of 
Taiwan and have contributed immeasurably to the maintenance of peace 
and stability in the Asia Pacific region, while allowing Taiwan to 
blossom into a vibrant, open society, eager to engage with the rest of 
the world.
  Today, Taiwan is well on the path to becoming a mature and fully 
consolidated democracy, and our shared values now form an ever stronger 
foundation of trust for cooperation across our many areas of mutual 
interest. At the same time, the military threat posed by the People's 
Republic of China to Taiwan's democratic way of life only continues to 
grow with each passing day.
  In the coming 10 years, we hope to forge a stronger consultative role 
for Congress in the formulation of Taiwan policy. We look forward to 
working closely with our allies--both abroad and at home--to find 
solutions for ensuring Taiwan's long-term security, and to deepen our 
dialogue with the people of Taiwan.

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