[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIX ASSURANCES AND THE LIFTING OF 
                         MARTIAL LAW IN TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate two important 
anniversaries this month in relation to our close friend and ally: the 
country of Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker: Since the end of World War II, the United States and 
Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous 
strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United 
States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People's 
Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the 
Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, to ensure that the United States would 
continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, 
culture, and security cooperation. On April 10, 1979, this important 
and lasting piece of legislation became the ``Law of the Land'' and has 
since served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going 
forward.
  After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of Congressional 
leadership in the history of our foreign relations, and, together with 
the 1982 ``Six Assurances,'' it remains the cornerstone of a very 
mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan.
  These ``Six Assurances'' were designed by President Reagan to further 
clarify U.S. policy toward Taiwan (in particular to the sale of arms to 
Taiwan to reiterate our commitment to Taiwan's security under the TRA 
and to reaffirm our position on Taiwan's sovereignty. It also 
stipulated that we would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations 
with the PRC.
  July 14th marks the 30th anniversary of President Reagan issuing said 
Six Assurances in 1982. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the 
lifting of martial law in Taiwan in 1987.
  Martial law was promulgated in Taiwan on May 19, 1949 by the Chinese 
Nationalist government, and was ended 38 years later. July 14, 1987 set 
the stage for a momentous process of democratization in Taiwan that 
continues to this day. We very are glad to see that Taiwan has 
transformed into a full fledged Democracy since then.
  Over the past three decades, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of 
the United States that shares with us the ideals of freedom and 
democracy. However, the people of Taiwan continue to live day after day 
under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range 
ballistic missiles that the People's Republic of China, PRC, has aimed 
at them. The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a ``renegade 
province,'' refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent Taiwan's 
formal de jure independence.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 
30th anniversary of the Six Assurances and the 25th anniversary of the 
lifting of martial law in Taiwan, to further underline our unwavering 
commitment to the people of Taiwan and to affirm our support for the 
strong and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

                          ____________________