May 19, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E745 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS SUMTER LAW ENFORCEMENT Maintaining and deepening our strong rela- Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chair, I ask that PRAYER BREAKFAST tions with Taiwan is an important part of U.S. the following exchange of letters be submitted engagement in Asia, a region of great and on H.R. 4909: HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN growing importance to the United States. COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF SOUTH CAROLINA This includes a vital security and strategic interest within the Taiwan Strait, where United Washington, DC, May 2, 2016. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES States troops are stationed within the Taiwan Hon. WILLIAM M. ‘‘MAC’’ THORNBERRY, Thursday, May 19, 2016 Strait region. Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House Further, Taiwan has grown to become of Representatives, Washington, DC. Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, as the nation DEAR MR. THORNBERRY: I write to confirm pauses to celebrate 25 years of federal rec- America’s ninth-largest overall trading partner our mutual understanding regarding H.R. ognition of National Police Week, I rise to pay and our seventh-largest destination for agricul- 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act tribute to law enforcement officers in South tural exports. for Fiscal Year 2017. This legislation con- Carolina and across the country who serve Indeed, I am particularly proud that as a tains subject matter within the jurisdiction and protect our families and communities Member of the Congressional Caucus on Tai- of the House Committee on Veterans’ Af- every day. wan, my colleagues and I can serve an impor- fairs. However, in order to expedite floor Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to tant role in strengthening bilateral relations by consideration of this important legislation, engaging our counterparts in Taiwan. the committee waives consideration of the speak at a prayer breakfast in my hometown bill. of Sumter, South Carolina. The prayer break- Not too long ago, we commemorated the The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs fast was hosted by the Sumter County Sher- 37th anniversary of the enactment of the Tai- takes this action only with the under- iff’s Department and the City of Sumter Police wan Relations Act. standing that the committee’s jurisdictional Department. I am grateful Sheriff Anthony I encourage my colleagues to continue to interests over this and similar legislation Dennis honored me with his invitation to speak join me in support of and in promotion of our are in no way diminished or altered. at the prayer breakfast. bilateral relations with Taiwan. The committee also reserves the right to The theme for the event was, ‘‘Badge of Mr. Speaker, I commend the speech deliv- seek appointment to any House-Senate con- ered by Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on ference on this legislation and requests your Honor,’’ which is fitting because when our support if such a request is made. Finally, I brave men and women serve our communities March 30, 2016, in which he emphasized the would appreciate your including this letter day in and day out, they bring great personal strong and abiding friendship between Taiwan in the Congressional Record during consider- honor to their duties. Police work is often dan- and the United States, which was integral to ation of H.R. 4909 on the House Floor. Thank gerous and too frequently thankless, so I think Taiwan’s transformation into the free, pros- you for your attention to these matters. it’s important for those of us in elected office perous, and just society it is today. Sincerely, to pause and say sincerely, thank you. President Ma also spoke of Taiwan’s future JEFF MILLER, Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Po- through the lens of three key issues: Chairman. lice Week, I want to say thank you to the law 1. cross-strait relations; 2. energy; and COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, enforcement officers and their families in HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, South Carolina and throughout this great land. 3. economic development. Washington, DC, May 3, 2016. f President Ma also mentioned that through Hon. JEFF MILLER, the effort to seek peace, Taiwan has become Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, REAFFIRMATION OF THE TAIWAN a peacemaker and provider of humanitarian House of Representatives, Washington, DC. RELATIONS ACT AND THE SIX aid. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your ASSURANCES I also want to congratulate Taiwan on the letter regarding H.R. 4909, the National De- January 16, 2016 election of the first female fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. SPEECH OF President to be elected—Dr. Tsai Ing-wen. I agree that the Committee on Veterans’ Af- fairs has valid jurisdictional claims to cer- HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE Mr. Speaker, the inauguration of President tain provisions in this important legislation, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen is the third peaceful transition OF TEXAS and I am most appreciative of your decision of power in Taiwan’s democratic history. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES not to request a referral in the interest of ex- The United States congratulates the people pediting consideration of the bill. I agree Monday, May 16, 2016 and government of Taiwan on the election of that by foregoing a sequential referral, the Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan’s enduring Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is not today in support of H. Con. Res. 88 reaffirm- and strong commitment to nurturing democ- waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this ex- racy, human rights and the rule-of-law. change of letters will be included in the com- ing the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the mittee report on the bill. six assurances as cornerstones of the United This is why I support and urge my col- Sincerely, States-Taiwan relations. leagues to support H. Con. Res. 88. WILLIAM M. ‘‘MAC’’ THORNBERRY, Since its enactment, the TRA has played an f Chairman. indispensable role in shaping U.S.-Taiwan re- NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- lations, resulting in a mutually-beneficial rela- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 tionship that encourages strong security, cul- COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, tural, and economic ties. Washington, DC, April 29, 2016. SPEECH OF Hon. WILLIAM M. ‘‘MAC’’ THORNBERRY, The TRA is unique because it is the only Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, law to govern nearly every aspect of U.S. rela- HON. MAC THORNBERRY Washington, DC. tions within a foreign government in the ab- OF TEXAS DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I write to confirm our sence of diplomatic relations. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mutual understanding regarding H.R. 4909, Taiwan’s story is unique in that it is an ex- Tuesday, May 17, 2016 the National Defense Authorization Act for ample to the world of the potential of a coun- Fiscal Year 2017, which contains substantial try. The House in Committee of the Whole matter that falls within the Rule X legisla- Indeed, Taiwan and the United States share House on the state of the Union had under tive jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Com- consideration the bill (H.R. 4909) to authorize mittee. I appreciate the cooperation that al- many values including: appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for mili- lowed us to work out mutually agreeable 1. a commitment to democracy; tary activities of the Department of Defense text on numerous matters prior to your 2. a commitment to human rights and the and for military construction, to prescribe markup. rule of law; and military personnel strengths for such fiscal Based on that cooperation and our associ- 3. a commitment to economic prosperity. year, and for other purposes: ated understandings, the Foreign Affairs ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:20 May 20, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19MY8.001 E19MYPT1 smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E746 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 19, 2016 Committee will not seek a sequential refer- COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, manders say they need. Unfortunately, that ral or object to floor consideration of the bill HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, amendment did not pass. text approved at your Committee markup. Washington, DC, May 3, 2016. As the Ranking Member of the House Budg- This decision in no way diminishes or alters Hon. DEVIN NUNES, et Committee, I also have worked hard to de- the jurisdictional interests of the Foreign Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on In- fend the integrity of the budget process and to Affairs Committee in this bill, any subse- telligence, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC. end the abuse of the OCO designation to cir- quent amendments, or similar legislation. I cumvent budget caps. I offered a bipartisan request your support for the appointment of DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your amendment with Representative MULVANEY House Foreign Affairs conferees during any letter regarding H.R. 4909, the National De- fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. that attempts to help reduce this abuse in the House-Senate conference on this legislation. I agree that the Permanent Select Com- future. The amendment codifies criteria devel- Finally, I respectfully request that you in- mittee on Intelligence has valid jurisdic- oped by OMB to clarify when military spending clude this letter and your response in your tional claims to certain provisions in this should be designated as contingency oper- committee report on the bill and in the Con- important legislation, and I am most appre- ations.