[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN SUPPORT OF STRONGER TIES WITH TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Mr. BARTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend President-Elect Trump on 
his phone call with the President of Taiwan last week.
  Taiwan has long been a friend of America, a beacon of democracy in a 
complicated region. A phone call is not complicated.
  I was fortunate enough to travel to Taiwan earlier this year and meet 
President Tsai. She is a balanced and judicious leader who is well 
aware of her nation's realities and promotes peace and prosperity with 
her neighbors. I would be honored if I could return the courtesy and 
extend some Texas hospitality to the President during her trip to South 
America in January and pledge to work with the new Administration to 
re-establish official diplomatic relations in Taiwan.
  Our nation's reality is that Taiwan is our friend and we should 
nurture and value that relationship. Over $67 billion dollars in trade 
flows between our countries and 148 sister cities connect us at a local 
level. A phone call doesn't change that.

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