[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING DR. MA YING-JEOU UPON HIS ELECTION AS PRESIDENT OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge 
Dr. Ma Ying-jeou upon his recent election to the Presidency of Taiwan.
  On March 22, 2008, Taiwan elected a new President, Dr. Ma Ying-jeou, 
former mayor of Taipei. As a long term observer of Taiwan, I have 
noticed that this island country has taken great strides toward full 
democracy. The latest presidential election proved that democracy is 
thriving in Taiwan. Regarding Taiwan-U.S. relations, President-elect Ma 
has also indicated the need to strengthen our informal ties with each 
other. After 9/11, Taiwan was one of the first countries to give its 
support to us and has been proactive in providing information and 
resources to us in combating global terrorism. In addition, Taiwan has 
been cooperative in reducing its trade surplus with us and promoting 
U.S. goods and services in its domestic market. In return, we must 
assure Taiwan that we will remain faithful to the letter and spirit of 
the Taiwan Relations Act.
  Madam Speaker, Taiwan has come a long way from its authoritarian past 
and is today a beacon of democracy and freedom in the Far East. I wish 
to congratulate President-elect Ma and the Taiwanese people for their 
latest demonstration of democracy. A true democracy like Taiwan 
deserves friendship and support.

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