[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DEVELOPING A STRATEGY TO OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN THE 
               INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MATT SALMON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2016

  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of Senate Bill 
2426, which is the Senate companion to my bill H.R. 1853 that passed 
the House earlier this year. This bill directs the Administration to 
work to bring Taiwan in to the International Criminal Police 
Organization, also known as INTERPOL.
  Taiwan is an important U.S. ally and I have long been a supporter of 
the government and people of Taiwan. In fact, I was lucky enough to 
serve a mission for my church in Taiwan and grew to love the Taiwanese 
people for their core values, democratic standards, open-market 
principles, and peaceful way of life.
  While in Congress, I have worked hard to facilitate policies that 
encourage Taiwan's continued vibrancy, to provide an example of hope 
and democracy around the world. Although Taiwan has proven to be a 
faithful, global partner for those in need, China seeks to marginalize 
Taiwan's role in the world. As such, I have pursued ways to further 
include Taiwan in the global community for its own good, but perhaps 
more importantly, for the benefit of the global community.
  Today, nearly every country is confronting threats of terrorism and 
international criminal organizations. Yet at a time when it is more 
important than ever that countries communicate about these ongoing 
threats, Taiwan is barred from directly participating. This is short 
sighted and must be addressed. For that reason, I introduced 
legislation to direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain 
observer status for Taiwan in INTERPOL, so that it can more fully 
engage in the international law enforcement community. The goal is to 
increase participation with important global actors to share 
information on international criminals, and together bring them to 
justice and protect would-be victims.
  I was pleased that after my legislation passed the House unanimously 
last year, Senator Gardner took up the cause and passed his companion 
bill, S. 2426, through the Senate. I wholeheartedly support this bill's 
final passage so that we can send this important, pro-security bill to 
the President for his signature. I encourage all Members to support 
this legislation.

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