[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud member of the 
Congressional Taiwan Caucus to congratulate Taiwan on its 97th National 
Day on October 10.
  The people of Taiwan have many reasons to celebrate and be proud of 
their country. Having elected President Ma Ying-jeou, the Taiwanese 
have returned the KMT party back to power, thereby effectively passing 
Huntington's ``two-turnover test of democratic consolidation.'' By 
successfully transitioning from one party to another and back to the 
original party, the people of Taiwan have proven their democracy is 
flourishing.
  Today, Taiwan is a vibrant democracy with a strong market economy 
thanks to its strong ties with the United States. Under the new Ma 
administration, Taiwan will only seek to fortify these ties and 
continue to prosper as a nation.
  Madam Speaker, I would also be remiss if I didn't take this 
opportunity to push for the 111th Congress to pass a Free Trade 
Agreement with Taiwan. Taiwan is the United States' ninth largest 
trading partner, with trade flows between the two totaling $64.6 
billion last year. A Free Trade Agreement expand trade and improve 
economic growth, provide enhanced opportunities for U.S. businesses and 
support an important democratic ally in a strategic region. It is time 
we put our differences aside and pass this legislation which is long 
overdue.

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