[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15760]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          104TH NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the 104th 
National Day of the Republic of China approaches on October 10th, I 
rise today to commemorate that historic event and to congratulate the 
people of Taiwan. October 10th, 1911 marked the beginning of the Wuchan 
Uprising, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China in 
1912. Today, Taiwan is one of the world's most developed economies, a 
consolidated representative democracy, and a great friend of the United 
States of America.
  Taiwan is there to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever there is 
a natural disaster or other humanitarian tragedy. When the World Health 
Organization declared the Ebola outbreak an international public health 
emergency, Taiwan stepped up preparatory measures to protect its 
citizens while collaborating with the international community to mount 
an effective response. Taiwan's Center for Disease Control set up an 
emergency response team and organized expert consultation meetings for 
more than 100,000 public health professionals.
  Additionally, under the leadership of President Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan 
made a significant donation to the CDC Foundation's Global Disaster 
Response Fund, pledged all necessary measures to prevent the spread of 
Ebola in Taiwan, and agreed to donate 100,000 sets of protective 
equipment for the Ebola workers in West Africa. Taiwan seeks to become 
a member of important international organizations such as the World 
Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and 
the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Given 
Taiwan's proven success in international healthcare and peaceful 
operations, we should do all we can to support Taiwan's participation 
in those key international organizations.
  Taiwan is also a responsible member of the international community 
and constantly works for the peaceful resolution of disputes. Taiwan 
has achieved a remarkable reduction of cross-strait tensions, and I 
believe that Taiwan deserves to be a member of international 
organizations so that it can more effectively work for peace, harmony, 
and civilized conduct by all nations throughout the world.
  It was my privilege to visit Taiwan in July of this year. I 
personally witnessed Taiwan's vibrant democracy, advanced development 
and women's right promotion. I encourage my colleagues to visit Taiwan, 
support of our friends there, and support their bids for entree into 
international organizations.