In Honor of the Republic of China's National Day

IN HONOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 04, 2004)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of the United States' most reliable allies, the Republic of China, on the occasion of its National Day, October 10. That great nation, better known as Taiwan, has served as a mirror on our times, reflecting the agonies and dreams of the 20th Century and the soaring aspirations of the new century. The ROC was born of the tragedy of Communist betrayal, reared in the tension of the cold war, and reached maturity during the information age.

The ROC was the first casualty of Imperial Japanese aggression and our staunch ally in the fight to free the Pacific of that tyranny. In 1949, Chinese Communists seized power on the mainland and the central government of the Republic of China relocated to Taiwan. Since that time, we have rightfully considered Taiwan's security of vital interest to the United States. In 1950, President Truman ordered the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan from attack by the Chinese Communists and we have maintained a presence in the area ever since. Moreover, the Congress has consistently expressed its support of the ROC since the passage of Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan has developed into a premier Asian democracy, having peacefully evolved from one party rule to the vibrant home of multi-party elections.

Taiwan's political development has been complemented by its economic rise as one of Asia's "Four Tigers," along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. Since 1949, the ROC's economy has moved from a leader in agricultural exports, to a major manufacturer of small electronics and consumer goods, to today's premier Asian producer of capital- and technology-intensive commodities, such as personal computers and machinery. Because its economy has achieved such rapid growth, Taiwan boasts one of the world's highest standards of living, with only 1 percent of its population below the poverty line in 2000. Today, the ROC is an irreplaceable part of the world economy and vital to continued growth here in the U.S.

I know that my colleagues will join me in wishing Taiwan's President Chen Shuibian, its Representative here in the U.S., Dr. David Tawei Lee and the 23 million people of Taiwan a most happy National Day and continued peace and prosperity.