Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou's Second Inauguration

Floor Speech

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, this coming Sunday, May 20, Taiwan will inaugurate President Ma Ying-jeou for a second term after his overwhelming election victory earlier this year. Congratulations to President Ma and to all the people of Taiwan. They embody the vision of a representative democracy that founding father Sun Yat-sen imagined.

The value of the United States-Taiwan partnership cannot be overstated. Taiwan is the ninth largest trading partner of the United States and the sixth largest agricultural market for products grown and produced here in the United States. Additionally, Taiwan has long been an important contributor towards economic and political security across Asia, benefitting the entire region.

Taiwan and the United States uphold a peaceful partnership through both trade agreements and meaningful personal relationships. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Taiwan when I was a state legislator, and it is a beautiful country with a vibrant culture. I hope someday to return.

The strength of Taiwan comes from its people. The people continue to benefit from self-governance and free-elections, and the open society and democracy of Taiwan allows for innovation and growth that puts it on a competitive footing with the most powerful and largest countries in the world.

Congratulations to the people of Taiwan and President Ma Ying-jeou on his second inauguration.

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