[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2015

  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join many of my 
colleagues in recognizing the 36th anniversary of the enactment of the 
Taiwan Relations Act. Through the Taiwan Relations Act, the United 
States and Taiwan have enjoyed a warm and mutually beneficial 
relationship, which has promoted security and economic prosperity in 
the Asia-Pacific region.
   I would like to point out another anniversary that will take place 
later this year of great significance to both the people of the United 
States and Taiwan--the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
   The contributions of the Republic of China played a key role in the 
successful victory over the Axis Powers. While many are familiar with 
figures such as General Joseph Stilwell, General Claire Chennault and 
the Flying Tigers, few fully appreciate the fact that for eight years, 
ROC forces tied down Japanese troops in China, preventing Tokyo from 
throwing its full military might against the rest of the Allied Powers.
   The war came at a great cost to the ROC both during and after the 
war. In the post WW II upheaval, the communists took power, and in 
1949, the ROC was forced to relocate to Taiwan.
   Despite the seemingly impossible challenges the ROC faced over much 
of the 20th century, Taiwan has achieved the vision of Dr. Sun Yat-sen 
and other visionaries, who foresaw a modern, democratic state with a 
great deal to offer to its neighbors and the world. Today, Taiwan is a 
multiparty democracy with an advanced economy that is an important 
component of the regional and global economy. Taiwan remains one of our 
closest economic and security partners, and I am proud to call myself a 
friend of Taiwan.
   I hope my colleagues will join me during this 70th anniversary year, 
in recognizing the contributions all of our allies made to defeat the 
Axis Powers and in securing the peace and prosperity of the postwar 
Asia-Pacific. I thank the Taiwan people for their important 
contribution.

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