[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU'S SECOND INAUGURATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, Ma Ying-jeou will be sworn in for a 
second term on May 20, 2012, as Taiwan's president. It's worth saluting 
President Ma on this special occasion, as the United States has a no 
better friend or ally than Taiwan. For decades, Taiwan has been of 
significant security, economic and political interest to the United 
States. Today, Taiwan's 23 million people enjoy self-governance with 
free elections, and Taiwan's economy is the 17th largest in the world--
and growing. Taiwan is the ninth-largest U.S. trading partner, 
including the sixth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, a 
significant economic consideration for my district.
  Going back to the onset of the Cold War, Taiwan and the United States 
have stood beside one another in some of our countries' darkest hours 
and most challenging times. Taiwan was an indispensable link in 
America's Korean War effort. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur rightly 
labeled Taiwan ``an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Pacific'' when 
speaking of the joint U.S.-Taiwan Korean War effort. Taiwan ground 
troops fought side by side with U.S. forces in the fierce battles at, 
below and above the 38th Parallel. The Washington-Taipei alliance was 
later institutionalized in the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and 
Formosa Resolution of 1955. Taiwan was also a key base, and 
intelligence-gathering source, for U.S. forces in the Vietnam War. 
Under President Ma's leadership, our relationship has remained strong, 
as he has sought U.S. support for his policies, including U.S. arms 
sales, to ensure Taiwan is in a strong position to continue cross-
strait talks.
  The United States has stood by Taiwan as it has faced challenges from 
across the strait over the last 62 years. And while travel, trade and 
investment flourish across the strait today, threats remain, as Beijing 
refuses to renounce its right to use force against Taiwan. And yet, 
Taiwan has shown that a strong democracy can thrive even in the face of 
continued threats.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
President Ma on his second inauguration. I also would ask my colleagues 
to remain mindful of the promise we made to the people of Taiwan almost 
33 years ago under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, the 
cornerstone of our two nations' bilateral relationship. Ties or tension 
across the Taiwan Strait affect global peace and stability, and a more 
stable East Asia is not only in the best interest of Taiwan, but also 
in the best interest of the United States.

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