[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING TAIWAN ON THEIR NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2013

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Taiwan's National 
Day--a day more commonly referred to as Double Ten Day as it falls on 
October 10. Double 10 Day is a joyous and important day for the 
Taiwanese people, and I am proud to join in the celebration of this 
anniversary.
  The United States and Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of 
China, have long enjoyed a mutual and beneficial friendship--one forged 
by our political, economic, cultural, and strategic ties. This strong 
alliance is predicated in part on shared values. In fact, Taiwan has 
nurtured a stable democracy and vibrant economy that encourages the 
entrepreneurial spirit. In the past year, the U.S.-Taiwan relationship 
has been further strengthened through Taiwan's inclusion in the U.S. 
visa-waiver program and the resumption of trade talks between our two 
countries, as part of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
  Taiwan has become an economic engine in Asia and it continues to play 
a critical role in the global supply chain for technology products. In 
2012, Taiwan imported over $6 billion in goods from California and it 
is currently our country's 7th largest export market in the world. I 
have had the pleasure of meeting President Ma and Ambassador King Pu-
Tsung, and believe their strong visionary leadership will continue to 
fortify the bridge between our two countries.
  As the Representative of California's 17th district and as the Chair 
Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I know 
firsthand the invaluable impact of the more than 13,000 people of 
Taiwanese descent residing in the heart of Silicon Valley, and the more 
than 180,000 Taiwanese-Americans living in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
In fact, Santa Clara Valley is home to the 2nd largest Taiwanese-
American population in the U.S., after San Gabriel Valley in Southern 
California. Tens of thousands of people annually visit the Culture 
Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sunnyvale.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to 
the people of Taiwan--and to the Taiwanese-Americans in my district and 
across this country--on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the 
Republic of China (Taiwan) on their National Day this October 10.

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