[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TAIWAN NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDWARD R. ROYCE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the Republic of China's 
National Day, which is October 10th.
  Madam Speaker, Taiwan and the U.S. have a long and valued 
partnership. For over half a century, a close relationship has existed 
between the United States and Taiwan, which has been of significant 
political, economic, and cultural advantage to both countries. Taiwan 
is one of the few vibrant democracies in the region, and its citizens 
enjoy all of the civil liberties found in the United States and Europe. 
Freedom House, in its ratings of freedom, consistently rate the people 
of Taiwan to be among the freest in Asia.
  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Taiwan, it gives me great 
pleasure to witness the impressive democratic and economic 
transformations that Taiwan has undergone. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou was elected 
president of Taiwan in March of this year and took office in May. The 
transfer of power from the Democratic Progressive Party to the 
Nationalist Party was smooth and peaceful. President Ma stresses 
economic competitiveness for Taiwan, strong bilateral relations with 
the United States, and gradual improvement of cross-strait relations.
  Again, I extend my congratulations to the people of Taiwan on their 
National Day.

                          ____________________