[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, Monday, April 10th marks the 38th 
anniversary of the 1979 enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
   The United States and Taiwan are bound by shared values, and the TRA 
commits the U.S. to providing Taiwan with the arms needed for its 
defense, while advocating a peaceful resolution to the contentious 
issues separating Beijing and Taipei. The people of Taiwan may rest 
assured that regardless of changes in administrations or the partisan 
composition of Congress, the TRA endures. Taiwan's freedom, democracy, 
and security will remain one of the highest interests of the United 
States, and our relationship will continue to grow and strengthen in 
the years and decades to come.
   In 1982, three years after the TRA's enactment, President Ronald 
Reagan issued the Six Assurances, another important component in 
strengthening this relationship. Together, the TRA and the Six 
Assurances have been instrumental in providing Taiwan with the security 
and space necessary for its people to build one of the most vibrant 
democracies and societies of the Asia-Pacific region.
   Mr. Speaker, I was gratified to hear that Secretary of State Rex 
Tillerson reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the TRA and the Six 
Assurances in his confirmation hearing earlier this year. I know many 
of my colleagues will join me in seconding this commitment.
   I also noticed that Chinese President Xi is visiting the United 
States this week. It is our hope that the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting is 
constructive as U.S. engagement of the PRC is important to the peace 
and stability of the region. It is also our hope and insistence that 
US-Taiwan relations and Taiwan's security and interests are not in any 
way compromised.
   I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration 
in moving forward on the issues that are of mutual interest between our 
two countries, and I offer my best wishes to the people of Taiwan on 
the occasion of this 38th Anniversary.

                          ____________________