April 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 62 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, forty years ago today, President 
Carter signed the Taiwan Relations Act, which established a new chapter 
in the United States relationship with Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act 
allowed the people of the United States and Taiwan to continue 
commercial, cultural, and other relations even after the United States 
government had changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to 
Beijing earlier that year.
  One of the most integral parts of this legislation was the 
establishment of the American Institute in Taiwan. This organization's 
directive was to carry out programs, transactions and any other forms 
of relations by the United States government with respect to Taiwan.
  Today, I want to recognize the hard work done by the personnel at the 
American Institute in Taiwan, past and present. The AIT has served a 
unique role for the past four decades in regards to United States 
diplomacy in East Asia. Staffed by employees from various agencies 
throughout the U.S. government, AIT manages the day-to-day security and 
defense, economic and commercial, and people-to-people aspects of our 
close relationship with Taiwan.
  As the United States-Taiwan relationship continues to grow, I hope 
the American Institute in Taiwan will continue to play an important 
role in strengthening our friendship with Taiwan.

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