[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15754]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING 104TH ANNIVERSARY OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2015

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
Taiwan on the 104th anniversary of their great Republic on October 10. 
This day, known as ``Double Ten Day'' because it falls on the 10th day 
of the 10th month, is revered in Taiwan the same as we celebrate the 
4th of July. It commemorates the Wuchang Uprising, the event that 
triggered a revolution that led to the overthrow of China's imperial 
regime and the establishment of the Republic of China on January 1, 
1912.
  Over the following century, as a result of the hard work and 
dedication of the people of Taiwan, Taiwan has become a democracy that 
stands as a model to other nations around the world.
  On this national day, I would also like to take the time to thank 
Taiwan for their continuing focus on buying American goods. In 2014, 
Taiwan surpassed India and Saudi Arabia to become the United States' 
10th largest trading partner. Last year, Taiwan purchased nearly $200 
million worth of goods from my home state of Michigan, bolstering our 
chemical, metal and machinery sectors.
  104 years after the Wuchang Uprising, Taiwan has transformed into a 
flourishing, economically robust society where social justice is a 
priority. Taiwan's praiseworthy commitment to social justice is perhaps 
best exemplified by their implementation of the single-payer National 
Health Insurance (NHI) system. This year marks the 20th anniversary of 
the system, which guarantees all Taiwanese citizens access to necessary 
medical care. In just two decades, Taiwan's healthcare system has 
become globally renowned for providing citizens with easy access to 
high-quality medical services, and it provides an important lesson to 
the world about the feasibility of a transition to a single-payer 
system.
  I am proud to commemorate the 104th anniversary of Taiwan's Double 
Ten Day, and I look forward to continuing the meaningful friendship and 
cooperation between the peoples and governments of the United States 
and Taiwan.

                          ____________________