[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15664]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATIONS TO TAIWAN ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STEVE STOCKMAN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. STOCKMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
the Republic of China (Taiwan) on their upcoming National Day on 
October 10th.
  Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic and 
political transformation, Taiwan remains to be a strong and trusted 
ally of the United States and shares with us the ideals of freedom and 
democracy. I still remember in 1996, when I first came to Congress, 
Taiwan held its first democratic presidential election in history. 
Today, Taiwan has emerged as a beacon of democracy and free enterprise 
in East Asia and our peoples have enjoyed a close friendship forged by 
our political, economic, cultural, and strategic ties.
  The U.S. Congress has continuously played a unique and important role 
in supporting U.S.-Taiwan Relations. The Taiwan Relations Act passed by 
Congress in 1979, remains to be the cornerstone of our bilateral 
relations. It codifies America's commitment to support the people of 
Taiwan as they seek a safe and secure place in the world. Earlier this 
year, Congress passed a bill (H.R. 1151) in support of Taiwan's 
participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 
Subsequently, Taiwan has been invited as a guest to the ICAO assembly 
this year.
  Looking forward, I believe that our government should further 
strengthen this important partnership by sending Cabinet level 
officials to Taiwan, as well as welcoming high-level officials from 
Taiwan to meet with their American counterparts, so that the 
Administration can witness first-hand the strategic and economic 
benefits this relationship has produced.
  I am confident that our relations with Taiwan will continue to grow 
and flourish, and I heartily congratulate the people of Taiwan on their 
102nd anniversary.

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