Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou's Second Inauguration - Hon. Blaine Luetkemeyer

Floor Speech

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, Ma Ying-jeou will be sworn in for a second term on May 20, 2012, as Taiwan's president. It's worth saluting President Ma on this special occasion, as the United States has a no better friend or ally than Taiwan. For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic and political interest to the United States. Today, Taiwan's 23 million people enjoy self-governance with free elections, and Taiwan's economy is the 17th largest in the world--and growing. Taiwan is the ninth-largest U.S. trading partner, including the sixth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, a significant economic consideration for my district.

Going back to the onset of the Cold War, Taiwan and the United States have stood beside one another in some of our countries' darkest hours and most challenging times. Taiwan was an indispensable link in America's Korean War effort. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur rightly labeled Taiwan ``an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Pacific'' when speaking of the joint U.S.-Taiwan Korean War effort. Taiwan ground troops fought side by side with U.S. forces in the fierce battles at, below and above the 38th Parallel. The Washington-Taipei alliance was later institutionalized in the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and Formosa Resolution of 1955. Taiwan was also a key base, and intelligence-gathering source, for U.S. forces in the Vietnam War. Under President Ma's leadership, our relationship has remained strong, as he has sought U.S. support for his policies, including U.S. arms sales, to ensure Taiwan is in a strong position to continue cross-strait talks.

The United States has stood by Taiwan as it has faced challenges from across the strait over the last 62 years. And while travel, trade and investment flourish across the strait today, threats remain, as Beijing refuses to renounce its right to use force against Taiwan. And yet, Taiwan has shown that a strong democracy can thrive even in the face of continued threats.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in congratulating President Ma on his second inauguration. I also would ask my colleagues to remain mindful of the promise we made to the people of Taiwan almost 33 years ago under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, the cornerstone of our two nations' bilateral relationship. Ties or tension across the Taiwan Strait affect global peace and stability, and a more stable East Asia is not only in the best interest of Taiwan, but also in the best interest of the United States.

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