[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 48 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DENNIS A. ROSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2015

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my warm, personal 
greetings to the people of Taiwan, to commemorate the 36th anniversary 
of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act--which provides the 
institutional framework and legal basis for our unofficial relations 
with Taiwan, and to call for greater support for Taiwan's meaningful 
participation in international organizations where it cannot be a 
member, due to its unique political status.
  As you know, Taiwan is an important economic and security partner, 
and as an advanced industrial economy, has much to contribute to the 
world, from global efforts to fight disease to securing our skies from 
dangers and threats to safety. As a result of its own efforts, the 
actions of the Congress and successive administrations, and other World 
Health Assembly member states, Taiwan has enjoyed observer status at 
the WHA since 2009. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Taiwan's 
participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  This House is on record in support of Taiwan's observer status at the 
ICAO. While Taiwan was invited to attend the 38th Session of the ICAO 
Assembly in Montreal by the then-ICAO president in 2013 as his guest, 
this is not a permanent solution for what is an integral part of the 
global aviation network. Taiwan, a democracy of 23 million people, is 
located in the busiest section of airspace in East Asia. Tens of 
millions of passengers and over a million-and-a-half tons of cargo pass 
through the Taipei Flight Information Region each year. And yet, Taiwan 
is excluded from ICAO meetings and activities, and is forced to make 
extra efforts to adhere to the frequent updates of ICAO's flight safety 
and security standards to which Taipei is committed.
  As we celebrate this 36th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, 
let us recommit ourselves to supporting this important friend in the 
Asia-Pacific, strengthening our unofficial relations, and progressing 
Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, which 
is to the benefit of the safety and security of people everywhere.

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