[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15480]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF TAIWAN'S 102ND NATIONAL BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. KERRY L. BENTIVOLIO

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan, a dear friend and close ally in 
Southeast Asia, is celebrating their 102nd birthday on October 10, 
2013.
  Taiwan and the United States have a good relationship because we have 
so much in common. We both believe that human rights, democracy and the 
rule of law are critical to maintaining stability. Both nations do not 
just speak of these as theories but create environments in which they 
can be fulfilled. It is a shame that Taiwan is not given the 
recognition they deserve in the international community, as they have 
attempted to uphold the same values that the United States holds dear. 
This commitment to similar ideals should bring our two countries closer 
together.
  There are a few areas that I would like to address that could further 
this friendship and enhance our cooperation and understanding.
  I would like to see an expanded trade relationship with Taiwan. 
Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners, and my own state of 
Michigan exported nearly $200 million worth of goods to Taiwan in 2012. 
An expanded trade relationship with Taiwan would certainly be 
beneficial to the United States, and also to the state of Michigan. A 
bilateral trade agreement is something that should be explored.
  It is also hard to understand just how much Taiwan has advanced over 
the previous decades. Their shift to democracy in the 1990s was truly 
an amazing event, especially given their location and external 
pressures, but this event is hard to understand without actually 
visiting the island. Many Members of Congress have visited Taiwan, but 
it can be hard to convey the importance of such travels to other parts 
of our government. I have encouraged high-level visits from the United 
States, and also have encouraged allowing high-level Taiwanese 
officials to visit with executive departments. In this way, we can more 
accurately assess our relationship with Taiwan, their importance to 
stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the power of democracy in 
Asia.

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