[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE NATIONAL DAY OF TAIWAN

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
102nd anniversary of National Day for the Republic of China, commonly 
known as Taiwan.
  October 10th, or Double Ten Day, as it is better known in Taiwan, 
commemorates the first day of the Chinese Revolution, which overthrew 
the Qing Dynasty and lead to the founding of the Republic of China on 
January 1, 1912.
  National Day is celebrated throughout the island of Taiwan and in 
many Chinese-American communities here in the U.S., including in my 
hometown of Houston, Texas. National Day is commonly celebrated with 
large parades, entertainment and folk performances, fireworks, and 
recognition of Sun Yat-sen, the first president and founding father of 
the Republic of China.
  It is important that this chamber and American people join the 
Republic of China and the Chinese-American community in celebrating 
this day. The Republic of China was an important ally to the United 
States in World War II and the Cold War and has continued to be one of 
our country's biggest partners in peace and prosperity in the Asia-
Pacific Region.
  Today, Taiwan and the United States enjoy a dynamic trading 
relationship in both goods and services. Taiwan was the 11th largest 
U.S. trading partner in 2012 and is a major innovator and producer of 
information technology products. Taiwan is an important market for our 
Nation's agriculture, chemicals, and semiconductor industries.
  In 1996, Taiwan became the first Chinese democracy in the world when 
it held its first direct presidential elections and has held successful 
presidential elections every four years since then and acts as an 
important example that democracy can flourish for the Chinese people on 
both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
  America should continue its strong support for the people of Taiwan 
and we can do this by supporting Taiwan's entrance into international 
and multilateral organizations and agreements. Earlier this year, this 
House passed legislation supporting Taiwan's entrance into the 
International Civil Aviation Organization. Mr. Speaker, I encourage 
this chamber to continue to vote on similar legislation, voice the 
American people's support for a prosperous and democratic Taiwan, and 
congratulate Taiwan on its National Day.

                          ____________________