[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 5154] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING TAIWAN'S FOURTH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ______ HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO of colorado in the house of representatives Thursday, April 3, 2008 Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, on March 22, 2008, Taiwan held its fourth presidential election. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, a Harvard-educated former Mayor of Taipei, won convincingly. Mr. Ma's victory was welcome news for friends of Taiwan, including the United States. Mr. Ma pledged that he would seek an immediate dialogue with the People's Republic of China on issues such as direct airline flights, an economic accord protecting investments, more tourist visits by mainlanders to Taiwan and a peace accord under which China would withdraw the thousands of missiles it aims at Taiwan. I hope Mr. Ma succeeds in doing business with Beijing. If the accords Mr. Ma seeks are reached, both countries will benefit and security in East Asia will be broadly enhanced. In the meantime I am confident that Taiwan's relations with the United States will be further strengthened. Taiwan has been our friend and supportive of us throughout the years. Taiwan has supported the war against global terrorism spurred by 9/11. Taiwan has also given humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq. We need to treasure Taiwan's friendship and loyalty to the United States by lifting some of the outdated travel restrictions on senior Taiwanese officials and actively promoting an international role for Taiwan, including an observer status for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in congratulating President-elect Ma Ying-jeou and we hope he will have a chance to visit the United States Congress before his inauguration on May 20. ____________________