OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Recognizing That for 50 Years the Association of South East Asian Nations Has Worked Toward Stability, Prosperity, and Peace in Southeast Asia

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 25, 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel for yielding me this time and also thank Chairman Royce for all of his work in this region of the world.

Representative Wagner and I cofounded the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations, earlier this year to deepen the United States' and Congress' engagement with Southeast Asia.
H. Res. 311, the resolution we are considering here today, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. It also marks 40 years of relations between the United States and ASEAN.

This measure highlights the work ASEAN has done towards improving stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia. It also speaks to the importance of continued security cooperation, economic partnership, and cultural engagement between the United States and ASEAN.

ASEAN serves as an example of successful regional cooperation. The nations of Southeast Asia, despite distinct histories, cultures, and religions, have placed their faith in cooperation rather than conflict.

U.S. security interests in Southeast Asia are wide-ranging and supported by many regional partners. Members of ASEAN have worked closely with the United States to address our mutual concerns.

The member states of ASEAN also hold significant economic promise, and our economic relationship underpins much of U.S. engagement in the region.

My home State of Texas, for example, exports over $13 billion worth of goods to ASEAN countries every year. These exports support over 70,000 Texas jobs and over 500,000 jobs across the United States.

The U.S.-ASEAN relationship is also built on history and cultural exchange. Millions of Americans can trace their family roots to countries of ASEAN, including 400,000 Texans. Language, literature, food, and music link
our cultures across the ocean, set roots, and enrich both our societies.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons and many more, it is important that we recognize and commemorate the impact of ASEAN across the years.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward