U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

65–672 CC WASHINGTON : 2000

MARKUP ON: H. CON. RES. 292 AND H.R. 3707

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2000

Serial No. 106–123

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
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COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman

WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois

DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey

DAN BURTON, Indiana

ELTON GALLEGLY, California

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida

CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina

DANA ROHRABACHER, California

DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California

PETER T. KING, New York

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio

MARSHALL ‘‘MARK’’ SANFORD, South

Carolina

MATT SALMON, Arizona

AMO HOUGHTON, New York

TOM CAMPBELL, California

JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York

KEVIN BRADY, Texas

RICHARD BURR, North Carolina

PAUL E. GILLMOR, Ohio

GEORGE RADANOVICH, California

JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado

SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut

TOM LANTOS, California

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American

Samoa

MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio

CYNTHIA A. MCKINNEY, Georgia

ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida

PAT DANNER, Missouri

EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama

BRAD SHERMAN, California

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida

STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, New Jersey

JIM DAVIS, Florida

EARL POMEROY, North Dakota

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York

BARBARA LEE, California

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania

RICHARD J. GARON, Chief of Staff

KATHLEEN BERTELSEN MOAZED, Democratic Chief of Staff

HILLEL WEINBERG, Senior Professional Staff Member and Counsel

JILL QUINN, Staff Associate
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C O N T E N T S

WITNESSES

Page

H. Con. Res. 292 ...................................................................................................... 1

H.R. 3707 .................................................................................................................. 6

APPENDIX

H. Con. Res. 292 ...................................................................................................... 12

The Honorable Doug Bereuter, Committee on International Relations Markup

of H. Con. Res. 292 Statement on the Resolution ............................................. 16

Amendment to H. Con. Res. 292 offered by Mr. Gilman and Mr. Gejdenson ..... 18

China prints plan to attack Taiwan ....................................................................... 19

H.R. 3707 .................................................................................................................. 22

Amendment to H.R. 3707 offered by Mr. Bereuter ............................................... 26

Statement on H.R. 3707 American Institute in Taiwan Facilities Enhancement Act, the Honorable Doug Bereuter ............................................................ 28

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MARKUP ON: H. CON. RES. 292 AND H.R. 3707

Thursday, March 23, 2000

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS,

Washington, D.C.

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room

2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Benjamin A. Gilman (Chairman of the Committee) presiding.

Mr. GILMAN. The Committee will come to order.

The Committee on International Relations meets in open session

pursuant to notice to markup two measures. Our two measures

today are H. Con. Res. 292, congratulating President-elect Chen

Shui-bian and Vice President-elect Annette Lu of Taiwan and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, and H.R. 3707, to authorize funds for the site selection and construction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan suitable for

the mission of the American Institute in Taiwan.

We will first proceed with H. Con. Res. 292 relating to the recent

elections in Taiwan. The Chair lays the resolution before the Committee. The clerk will report the title of the resolution.

Ms. BLOOMER. H. Con. Res. 292, a resolution congratulating the

people of Taiwan for the successful conclusion of Presidential elections on March 18, 2000, and reaffirming United States policy toward Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.

Mr. GILMAN. This resolution was referred to the Subcommittee

on Asia and the Pacific and considered yesterday. It was reported

without amendment, without objection. A preamble and operative

language of the resolution will be read in that order for amendment. The clerk will read.

Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas, section 2(c) of the Taiwan Relations Act

states the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all

of the people on Taiwan to be an objective of the United States.

Mr. GILMAN. Without objection, the resolution is considered as

having been read and is open to amendment at any point. This

measure was introduced by the gentleman from Texas, the distinguished Majority Leader, Mr. Armey.

[The bill appears in the appendix.]

I now recognize the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter, the

Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific to introduce

it to the Committee.

Mr. BEREUTER. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I move to strike the last word. This resolution was introduced

just yesterday by the Majority Leader, Mr. Armey of Texas. Following introduction of the resolution, the Subcommittee on Asia
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and the Pacific met, marked-up, and reported this resolution by

voice vote.

Both myself and Mr. Lantos, the distinguished Ranking Minority

Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific are Co-sponsors of H. Con. Res. 292, as are other Members of the Subcommittee, including Mr. Rohrabacher and Dr. Cooksey. Indeed, I

would like to point out to the Committee colleagues that this resolution is a product of input from both the Majority and Minority.

The resolution congratulates the people of Taiwan and Taiwan’s

leaders for the successful conclusion of their Presidential election

of March 18th.

This, of course, is an historic point because it marks a free election by the Chinese, succeeding another free election. Of course,

those are precedents. It is the first such transition of a national office from one elected leader to another in a very long history of Chinese societies. It actually marks a move from leadership from one

party to another in Taiwan. The people of Taiwan are to be congratulated for their continuing efforts in developing and sustaining

a free democratic society which respects human rights and embraces free markets. Contrary to the claims of those trying to defend Communism and other authoritarian forms of government, the

election clearly demonstrates that democracy works, and that the

Chinese people—those on Taiwan, and those on the mainland—

yearn for it and could flourish with it.

Success of democracy in Taiwan is indeed I think a powerful

model for the mainland. The resolution also acknowledges that a

stable and peaceful security environment in East Asia is essential

to the furtherance of democratic developments in Taiwan and other

countries, and reaffirms U.S. policy toward Taiwan as set forth in

the Taiwan Relations Act.

In this regard, the resolution appropriately expresses a sense of

Congress that the People’s Republic of China should not make provocative threats against Taiwan and should undertake steps that

would lead to substantive dialogue—including the renunciation of

the use of force against Taiwan—and encourage democracy, the

rule of law, and the protection of human and religious rights for

the People’s Republic of China.

I am encouraged that since the election in Taiwan, Beijing has

curtailed, to a certain degree, its aggressive and unhelpful rhetoric,

and that the PRC appears again, to a certain degree, to be extending the offer for renewed dialogue. It is an offer which I hope is

offered in good faith. Across the strait, President-elect Chen and

others in Taipei are also calling for renewed dialogue, and are already proposing the kind of responsible statesmen-like policies that

could expand and accelerate this dialogue.

Mr. Chairman, this is a timely, needed, and straightforward resolution. It passed without opposition in the Subcommittee. I understand the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member, Mr.

Gejdenson, will offer an amendment which corrects a technical

drafting error and also makes another change in language that is

more appropriate. By the way, the amendment has the support of

Mr. Armey. I thank my two colleagues, the leaders of the Committee, for offering the amendment. I urge the Committee to support the amendment and adopt the resolution.
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Thank you. I yield back.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Bereuter appears in the appendix.]

Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter.

Mr. LANTOS. MR. Lantos. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I am delighted to join my good friend and colleague from Nebraska in urging my colleagues to support this resolution. I would

like to say a few things because the resolution is subject to misunderstanding on many scores. Taiwan represents one of the great

success stories of the post-World War II era.

Taiwan, which used to be a destitute, primitive, backward society

has become one of the great economic success stories of the last

Century. In its last decade, Taiwan has become one of the great political success stories by becoming a full-fledged democracy. From

an American point of view, there is nothing that could be more desirable than to see an under-developed autocracy become a developed democracy.

This stands in sharp contrast with the continuing authoritarian

and dictatorial government which rules in Beijing. I think our resolution needs to be viewed as one of congratulating the people of

Taiwan on having attained both a very high degree of economic development, and creating a functioning political democracy.

There is a free press in Taiwan, contrary to mainland China.

There are political alternatives in Taiwan, contrary to mainland

China. I think it is high time that some in this country recognize

that the leadership in Beijing is hanging on, as the Soviet leadership did, not too many years ago, to a nonfunctioning and fundamentally unacceptable regime, unacceptable to its own people,

which sooner or later, and I hope sooner, will give way to a multiparty functioning democracy on the mainland.

I think it is important to realize, Mr. Chairman, the extent to

which the leadership on the mainland is out of touch with the people. Both within its own country and on Taiwan there were threats

issued by the government in Beijing concerning this election just

a few days before that election. As some of us predicted, those

crude threats became highly counter-productive.

I congratulate the people of Taiwan for having the courage to

stand up to the threats of the mainland and elect the person they

chose to elect. The reaction, I think, in our own country to these

crude threats by the Chinese Communist regime I am convinced

are similarly negative.

Beijing, at long last, must understand that its threats do not

work. That it must recognize the people’s desire to function in a

free and democratic fashion. This means religious groups must be

allowed their freedom. This means that practitioners of Falnm

Gong must no longer be persecuted. This means that followers of

all faiths need to have the freedom to practice their religion. It also

means that the handful of incredibly courageous individuals who

expressed views contrary to this regime need to be released.

Our resolution is pro-Chinese people. I personally have the highest regard for the Chinese civilization. It is one of the great civilizations of this world. It is one of the historic tragedies of this period

that these great people are ruled by an autocratic and dictatorial

regime. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution
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which recognizes the enormous achievements of the people of Taiwan, and holds out the promise for the people of China.

Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Lantos.

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Delahunt.

Mr. DELAHUNT. I have no comment.

Mr. GILMAN. Are there any other Members seeking recognition?

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. If not, I would note that I am pleased to bring this

measure before the Committee today for consideration. I want to

thank our Majority Leader, Mr. Armey of Texas, for introducing

the timely resolution, and express my appreciation to the Chairman of our Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, for

expeditiously considering the resolution in the Subcommittee.

I congratulate the people of Taiwan on a very successful election

and for taking another step in consolidating their democratic evolution. They should be very proud of their democracy, registering

an 80 percent voter turn-out. I wish we could have a similar turnout in our own Nation. On May 20th, for the first time in Taiwan’s

history, the mantle of power is going to be passing from one democratically elected president to another.

This peaceful transfer of power will be taking place despite the

provocative attempts by the government of Beijing to intimidate

Taiwan’s voters and influence the outcome of their election. The

new government of Chen Shui-bian faces many challenges as it ascends to office. I want to commend the President-elect for his proposal of embarking on a journey of reconciliation with China, and

for his offer to meet with China’s leaders.

Talks should only go forward in a pace and scope acceptable to

the parties on both sides of the Strait. I want to encourage the PRC

to exercise restraint; to avoid fanning the flames of nationalism

over Taiwan in an effort to divert attention from some of their own

internal problems in China; to open a dialogue with Taipei; and to

end its military threats toward that island.

As has been longstanding American policy, it is essential that the

future of Taiwan be determined in a peaceful and mutually agreeable manner to the people on both sides of the Strait. Let me close

by saying that I hope the world will take appropriate notice of

what has yet transpired in Taiwan, as just another Asian nation

has fully embraced democratic principles and practices, further

proving that democracy is not an Eastern or Western value, as

some might contend, but a universal value and a right of people

everywhere.

We especially hope that the 1.2 billion people of the PRC and

their unelected government take particular notice of the model Taiwan provides for China’s future. We call upon the Administration

to work productively with the new government and to treat Mr.

Chen as an equal partner in addressing cross-strait issues.

Last, I would like to be added to the list of Co-sponsors of this

important resolution. I look forward to bringing it to the Floor for

consideration at an early date.

Is there any other Member seeking recognition?

Mr. ROHRABACHER. I rise in support of this measure before us

today. Obviously, it is important for us, as you might say, the premiere—outside of the British Parliament—the premiere elected
5

body in the world, to acknowledge that we have an historic event

taking place in Taiwan. China is, of course, a country with the

longest history of any country of the world.

The Chinese people are rightfully proud of their own heritage.

However, it has not been a democratic heritage. Today, for the first

time in this long history of China, there is a government that has

been elected and replaced, again, through democratic elections. We

have a new President-elect, again, through democratic elections.

This is a phenomenal historic moment. I believe what has happened on Taiwan could well be a model for all of the billions of people in China. Perhaps this is why Beijing is so bellicose and so belligerent at this point because they know that once they see a group

of Chinese people who are able to, through the ballot box, help direct their own destiny, and control the government policies of their

own country, this message will seep throughout the rest of the

mainland of China.

I believe the ultimate solution to the friction that now is taking

place between the United States and China, and China and its

neighbors, and especially between Beijing and Taipei, the ultimate

solution is the democratization of the mainland. So, this resolution

today, taking note of this historic occasion, is something that I totally support. Thank you Mr. Gilman.

The history books, I do not think, are ever going to remember

our names—we have a spot here in Congress—but history will remember this election, because I think it is going to lead to big and

important things on the mainland of China.

Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher.

Mr. Gejdenson, do you have some remarks?

Mr. GEJDENSON. No comments, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. GILMAN. Any other Members seeking recognition?

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. If not, I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk

will read the amendment.

Ms. BLOOMER. Amendment to H. Con. Res. 292 offered by Mr.

Gilman and Mr. Gejdenson. In the fifth clause of the preamble,

strike ‘‘head of state’’ and insert ‘‘President.’’

[The amendment appears in the appendix.]

Mr. GILMAN. The amendment will be considered as having been

read. The main purpose of this amendment is technical. First, to

expand ‘‘House of Representatives’’ to ‘‘Congress’’, and Senate and

House concurrent resolution, and change the term ‘‘legal’’ to ‘‘statutory,’’ which is more accurate.

Second, regarding China’s provocative threats toward Taiwan,

Mr. Gejdenson and I have agreed to change some of the wording

in the second resolve clause to a broader declarative statement

stating that China should refrain, in a general sense, from making

provocative threats against Taiwan, and not limit it to those

threats contained in the State Council White Paper.

Mr. Gejdenson, do you have any comments on the amendment?

Mr. GEJDENSON. I think you have done an excellent job explaining it, Mr. Chairman

Mr. GILMAN. Is no one else seeking recognition?

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I previously spoke my support for

your effort. I appreciate its intent and what it accomplishes.
6

Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Bereuter.

The question is now on the amendment. All in favor, signify

by——

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman?

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Rohrabacher.

Mr. ROHRABACHER. I would like to place in the record an article

that was taken from a People’s Liberation Army weekly publication

in China that was just put all over China in which the Plaintiff’s

Liberation Army is suggesting that attacks on the United States

may be necessary to accomplish their goals with Taiwan, just so

people understand how important the measure is that we are talking about today.

Mr. GILMAN. What is the date of that article?

Mr. ROHRABACHER. It is a Knight-Ritter article about the article

in a March 20th weekly Chinese publication from the People’s Liberation Army.

Mr. GILMAN. Without objection, the article will be made a part

of the record.

[The article referred appears in the appendix.]

Mr. GILMAN. The question is on the amendment. All in favor, signify in the usual manner.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Mr. GILMAN. Opposed?

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. The amendment is carried.

Any other amendments by any of the Members?

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. If not, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter,

is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chairman be requested to seek consideration of the pending resolution as amended

on the suspension calendar.

Mr. GILMAN. The question is on the motion by the gentleman

from Nebraska. All those in favor of the motion, signify in the

usual manner, by saying aye.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Mr. GILMAN. All those opposed, say no.

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to. Further

proceedings on this measure are postponed.

Mr. GILMAN. We will now consider H.R. 3707, relating to the construction of the American Institute on Taiwan. The Chair lays the

bill before the Committee. The clerk will report the title of the bill.

Ms. BLOOMER. H.R. 3707, a bill to authorize funds for the site

selection and construction of a facility in Taipei, Taiwan suitable

for the mission of the American Institute in Taiwan.

[The bill appears in the appendix.]

Mr. GILMAN. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. The clerk will read the bill for amendment.

Ms. BLOOMER. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America and Congress assembled, section 1, short title.

Mr. GILMAN. Without objection, the bill is considered as having

been read. It is open for amendment at any point. The bill was in
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front of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human

Rights, which is weighing further consideration of it.

I now recognize the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter, to

introduce the bill.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for marking

up this bill so expeditiously. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Human Rights, the distinguished gentleman from New

Jersey, Mr. Smith, for his much appreciated assistance in moving

the bill forward so quickly and for suggested minor refinements on

pages 3 and 4 of the resolution.

Mr. Chairman, I believe it is important to note that the United

States’ commitment to the security and well-being of the people of

Taiwan is enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, a

Congressional initiative which continues to be the guide for our unofficial relations. The Taiwan Relations Act established the American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei, as a nonprofit corporation to implement, on behalf of the United States, any and all programs,

transactions, and other relations with Taiwan. In other words, to

function as our unofficial embassy in Taiwan. The current AIT facilities, which in some cases consist of aging Quonset huts, are

grossly inadequate, and were not designed for the important functions that AIT performs. They were built or occupied as temporary

facilities almost 50 years ago and are increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.

From the perspective of security, AIT fails miserably, surrounded

by taller buildings and lacking adequate setback. Major, very costineffective enhancements would be required to bring it into compliance for security requirements. In fact, it is an impossibility. The

site is entirely inappropriate for construction of a new facility. Because of our unique relationship with Taiwan, characterized by the

TRA, the State Department is not able, under routine authority, to

proceed with planning and construction of a new facility for AIT.

The Congress must specifically appropriate and authorize the

necessary funds. While AIT has made a good faith effort to set

aside funds for the construction of a new office building, and they

have set aside about $25 million, these funds will never be sufficient for even a modest but adequate complex that is sufficient and

secure enough to meet AIT’s needs.

This resolution, which this Member introduced, has bipartisan

support. Although only recently introduced, the resolution is Cosponsored by the distinguished Ranking Member of the Committee,

Mr. Gejdenson, as well as other distinguished Members of the

Committee, including Mr. Lantos, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Rohrabacher.

The bill authorizes $75 million for the planning, the acquisition,

and the construction of the new AIT facility. Members should not

be concerned about that figure. It is perhaps conservative. I would

tell my colleagues that the facility for AIT cannot even get in line

for future construction projects, at this point, without authorization. It will have to take its place in line with the other construction needs of embassies and consulates around the world if we authorize it. It cannot get its place in line until we do.
8

Over 20 years after the enactment of the TRA, our unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan are stronger, more robust, and

more important than ever. It is a very important visa post; one of

the three or four most important in the world in terms of number

of visas processed. To reflect the importance of these relations, as

well as for the very practical reasons of efficient and secure operations, the Congress needs to act to authorize the lengthy effort to

upgrade our diplomatic facilities on Taiwan.

Mr. Chairman, I know we are short on time, but I do want to

make a statement now that is important. Recently, as is apparent

to all of us, we have been seized with issues involving our relationship with Taiwan and China. Today relatedly, we marked up in addition to this bill another resolution which congratulates the people

of Taiwan on the success of their historic democratic elections.

We have also been concerned by the bellicose rhetoric from Beijing that once again preceded the Taiwanese Presidential elections.

The House has also recently passed a properly amended version of

the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA). We are preparing

for the upcoming debate on granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) for China, as a part of that country’s succession to

the WTO.

In view of all of these developments, now is the appropriate time

to send another message of our unshakable long-term commitment

to our critically important relations with Taiwan. We are there in

Taipei for as long as it takes. In the judgment of this Member, Congress should and will work with the Administration to approve permanent normal trade relations with the PRC as a part of our support for its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), just

as we will support the near simultaneity of Taiwan’s accession to

the WTO.

At the same time, it is very important that we make it crystal

clear to the PRC and the world that we are calmly but resolutely

standing at the side of Taiwan providing for the sale of necessary

defensive weapons to wit: to defend itself against all hostile or coercive actions to enforce its reunification with PRC through any process that is not a peaceful, noncoercive one.

We are, by our recent actions regarding Taiwan, making our continued, positively supported, TRA-driven relationship with Taiwan

unambiguous. We are proceeding on a two-track Taiwan-PRC policy, resolutely, unflinchingly, unabashedly standing by Taiwan’s

side while demonstrating our willingness to engage with the PRC

in a great variety of ways when it is in our national interest and

consistent with our regional stabilizing role to do so.

We have benign motives in our great interest in Asia. As a super

power, we will act like one and defend our national interest in the

region and support all of our loyal allies.

Mr. BERMAN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BEREUTER. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman.

Mr. BERMAN. One way to further clarify that two-track policy

that you articulated is that, in the event that we accord permanent

normal trade relations status to the PRC, we make it quite clear

in the decision that automatically, not by virtue of action of the

Chief Executive or subsequent action by the Congress, but auto-
9

matically, such status is revoked totally if China invades, attacks,

blockades Taiwan. They lose access to all of the U.S. market.

Mr. BEREUTER. I thank the gentleman for his comments. I would

just tell him that Congresswoman Dunn and I offered a resolution

about 10 days ago that you may want to consider as a Co-sponsor

which would provide the sense to Congress that Taiwan’s accession

to the WTO ought to be simultaneous or immediately thereafter.

Now, if the gentleman might want to consider an amendment

further to be more specifically on this track he could certainly consider it. I would urge him to look at that resolution.

Mr. BERMAN. Just further, I would look at that resolution certainly, but I think that perhaps, quite legitimately, we are very

ambiguous in our response, should this attack occur, in many ways.

I think this is one area where we should be unambiguous.

Mr. BEREUTER. Unambiguous, right.

Mr. BERMAN. Even making it a sense of Congress leaves an ambiguity. I would like to see it automatically invoked if possible.

Mr. BEREUTER. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GILMAN. If there are no further comments, the gentleman

has an amendment.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I do offer an amendment.

Mr. GILMAN. The clerk will read the amendment.

Ms. Bloomer: Amendment offered by Mr. Bereuter, page 3, strike

line 10 and all that follows to page 4, line 3, and insert the following.

[The amendment appears in the appendix.]

Mr. GILMAN. The amendment is considered as having been read.

Mr. Bereuter, on the amendment.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, these recommendations come to

us from Mr. Smith and his staff. They relate to a reorientation of

the wording in sections (a) and (b), on pages 3 and 4, and constituted no substantive change. I encourage the adoption thereof.

Mr. GILMAN. I support the amendment.

The question is on the amendment. All in favor, signify in the

usual manner.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Mr. GILMAN. Opposed?

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. The amendment is carried.

In support the amendment and appreciate the gentleman’s willingness to provide these kinds of appropriations. This measure does

have bipartisan support. I urge our Members to support the bill as

amended. The American Institute in Taiwan serves such an important function. The mission should be appropriately supported by

the Congress, and no doubt the current facility is inadequate.

Through its authorization of funds, this bill supports the efforts

to find a suitable location for a new facility. It encourages the initiation of construction. We are looking toward a long future with Taiwan. It is time to make a long-range commitment and invest in a

new facility to support that relationship.

Are there any other Members seeking recognition?

[No response.]
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Mr. GILMAN. If not, the gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bereuter,

is recognized to offer a motion.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my

full statement be made a part of the record.

Mr. GILMAN. Without objection.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Bereuter appears in the appendix.]

Mr. BEREUTER. I move that the Chairman be requested to seek

consideration of the pending resolution, as amended, on the suspension calendar.

Mr. GILMAN. The question is now on the motion from the gentleman from Nebraska. All those in favor, signify in the usual manner.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Mr. GILMAN. Those opposed, say no.

[No response.]

Mr. GILMAN. The ayes have it. The motion is agreed to. Further

proceedings on this measure are postponed.

The Committee now stands in recess. Pending the vote, we will

continue very shortly. The Committee is in recess.

[Whereupon, at 10:40 a.m., the Committee recessed, to reconvene

this same day after the vote.]
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A P P E N D I X

MARCH 23, 2000
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