H5846 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 11, 2012 

articles 79 and 88. It also calls for release of all political prisoners, writers, 

and bloggers that the only thing 

they’ve asked is to have a more open 

process, to have some civil rights, to 

have some human rights, to be able to 

discuss with each other a new way forward. 

As Americans, we pride ourselves on 

being a country that stands by freedom, by liberty, and by justice. And as 

Members of this United States Congress, we have a responsibility. Other 

countries are watching us. We have a 

responsibility to stand up and to take 

steps and to say enough is enough. 

As the Government of Vietnam continues to criminalize individual rights, 

as it criminalizes basic freedoms, I believe this is an indication that Vietnam is not interested in being a responsible member of the international 

community. We, the United States, 

need to examine our economic and our 

military relationships with Vietnam. 

We must insist on changes to human 

rights in that country. 

I urge my colleagues to vote for 

House Resolution 484 to protect the 

rights and the freedoms of the citizens 

of Vietnam; and in doing so, we protect 

the rights and freedoms of every citizen in this world. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

continue to reserve the balance of my 

time. 

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no 

further requests for time, and I’m prepared, if you’re prepared to close, to 

yield back the balance of my time, and 

I will yield back the balance of my 

time. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Just in closing, 

I would hope some of these impassioned 

speakers on behalf of respect for 

human rights, democracy, and the rule 

of law for the people of Vietnam, as 

meritorious as they are, I hope that 

they’re extended to my native homeland of Cuba as well. May we hear 

those voices on the House floor calling 

for those same characteristics for the 

people of Cuba. 

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back 

the balance of my time. 

Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. 

Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 

484. I am proud to cosponsor this important 

resolution introduced by my good friend, fellow 

Californian, and co-chair of the Vietnam Caucus, Representative LORETTA SANCHEZ. This 

resolution calls on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to respect basic 

human rights and to stop abusing vague national security provisions such as articles 79 

and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code, articles 

which are frequently cited as the justification 

for the arrest and detention of citizens who 

peacefully advocate for religious and political 

freedom. 

The use of these draconian laws to silence 

opposition and maintain one-party control is 

unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I 

strongly urge my colleagues to support this 

resolution, and to speak out for the activists 

whose voices have been silenced by the repressive regime in Vietnam. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 

ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend 

the rules and agree to the resolution, 

H. Res. 484, as amended. 

The question was taken; and (twothirds being in the affirmative) the 

rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on 

the table. 

f 

TAIWAN OBSERVER STATUS IN 

THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL 

AVIATION ORGANIZATION 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

move to suspend the rules and concur 

in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. 

Res. 17) expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded 

observer status in the International 

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution. 

The text of the concurrent resolution 

is as follows: 

S. CON. RES. 17 

Whereas the Convention on International 

Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago, Illinois, on 

December 7, 1944, and entered into force 

April 4, 1947, approved the establishment of 

the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), stating ‘‘The aims and objectives of the Organization are to develop the 

principles and techniques of international 

air navigation and to foster the planning and 

development of international air transport 

so as to . . . meet the needs of the peoples of 

the world for safe, regular, efficient and economical air transport’’; 

Whereas, following the terrorist attacks of 

September 11, 2001, the ICAO convened a 

high-level Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security that endorsed a global strategy 

for strengthening aviation security worldwide and issued a public declaration that ‘‘a 

uniform approach in a global system is essential to ensure aviation security throughout the world and that deficiencies in any 

part of the system constitute a threat to the 

entire global system,’’ and that there should 

be a commitment to ‘‘foster international 

cooperation in the field of aviation security 

and harmonize the implementation of security measures’’; 

Whereas, the 37th ICAO Assembly in October 2010 adopted a Declaration on Aviation 

Security largely in response to the attempted sabotage of Northwest Airlines 

Flight 253 on December 25, 2009, which established new criminal penalties for the use of 

civil aircraft as a weapon, the use of dangerous materials to attack aircraft or other 

targets on the ground, and the unlawful 

transport of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons and related materials, along 

with extradition arrangements that facilitate cooperation among nations in apprehending and prosecuting those who have undertaken these and other criminal acts; 

Whereas, on October 8, 2010, the Department of State praised the 37th ICAO Assembly on its adoption of the Declaration on 

Aviation Security, but noted that ‘‘because 

every airport offers a potential entry point 

into this global system, every nation faces 

the threat from gaps in aviation security 

throughout the world—and all nations must 

share the responsibility for securing that 

system’’; 

Whereas the Taipei Flight Information Region, under the jurisdiction of Taiwan, ROC, 

covers an airspace of 176,000 square nautical 

miles and provides air traffic control services to over 1,350,000 flights annually, with 

the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport 

recognized as the 8th and 18th largest airport 

by international cargo volume and number 

of international passengers, respectively; 

Whereas exclusion from the ICAO since 

1971 has impeded the efforts of the Government of Taiwan to maintain civil aviation 

practices that comport with evolving international standards, due to its inability to 

contact the ICAO for up-to-date information 

on aviation standards and norms, secure 

amendments to the organization’s regulations in a timely manner, obtain sufficient 

and timely information needed to prepare for 

the implementation of new systems and procedures set forth by the ICAO, receive technical assistance in implementing new regulations, and participate in technical and academic seminars hosted by the ICAO; 

Whereas the United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review, clearly declared its support for the participation of Taiwan in appropriate international organizations, in 

particular, on September 27, 1994, with the 

announcement by the Assistant Secretary of 

State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs that, 

pursuant to the Review and recognizing Taiwan’s important role in transnational issues, 

the United States ‘‘will support its membership in organizations where statehood is not 

a prerequisite, and [the United States] will 

support opportunities for Taiwan’s voice to 

be heard in organizations where its membership is not possible’’; and 

Whereas ICAO rules and existing practices 

have allowed for the meaningful participation of noncontracting countries as well as 

other bodies in its meetings and activities 

through granting of observer status: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense 

of Congress that— 

(1) meaningful participation by the Government of Taiwan as an observer in the 

meetings and activities of the International 

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will contribute both to the fulfillment of the ICAO’s 

overarching mission and to the success of a 

global strategy to address aviation security 

threats based on effective international cooperation; 

(2) the United States Government should 

take a leading role in garnering international support for the granting of observer 

status to Taiwan in the ICAO for the purpose 

of such participation; and 

(3) the Department of State should provide 

briefings to or consult with Congress on any 

efforts conducted by the United States Government in support of Taiwan’s attainment 

of observer status in the ICAO. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 

Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) and the 

gentleman from California (Mr. BERMAN) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 

have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the RECORD on this 

measure. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida? 

There was no objection. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California 

(Mr. ROYCE), who has a strong interest 


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September 11, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5847 

in this issue related to Taiwan’s status 

in the International Civil Aviation Organization. 

Mr. ROYCE. I thank the gentlelady 

for yielding. 

I do rise in support of this measure. 

For too long, Taiwan has been left out 

of international organizations at the 

demand of China. Taiwan was denied 

access to the World Health Organization. It was unable to participate as 

even an observer for over 40 years. 

Thankfully, though, that changed in 

2009, when a Taiwanese delegation was 

allowed to observe meetings in Geneva. 

Infectious disease knows no borders. 

And it was only proper that that 

change was made. Congress had long 

pressed for this action through bills 

and resolutions. 

b 1850 

So it is fitting that we once again 

take to the floor to press for Taiwan’s 

inclusion in the International Civil 

Aviation Organization. Despite being 

home to the world’s 18th busiest airport, Taiwan has been kept out of an 

organization that aims to keep passengers safe. 

Indeed, as this resolution finds, Taiwan’s exclusion from the ICAO has impeded Taiwan’s government from keeping up-to-date with aviation standards 

and prevented the implementation of 

new systems and new procedures. The 

35 million passengers that travel to and 

from Taiwan each year are done a 

great disservice by Taiwan’s exclusion. 

Mr. Speaker, in a relatively short period of time, Taiwan has gone from 

poverty to prosperity. It has gone from 

autocracy to democracy. We have a 

strong relationship that stretches back 

for over half a century. Today, our relations remain strong. Passage of this 

resolution will only serve to strengthen this relationship, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure. 

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 

strong support of S. Con. Res. 17 and 

yield myself such time as I may consume. 

I’d like to thank the sponsor of the 

legislation, the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ), and the chairman 

of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, for their 

leadership on this issue. 

This resolution expresses the sense of 

Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization, 

ICAO. Taiwan has made significant 

progress in its economic and political 

development. Today, Taiwan is a leading trade partner of the United States 

and stands as a beacon of democracy in 

Asia. 

However, Taiwan has been excluded 

from meaningful participation in 

ICAO, an international organization 

which is dedicated to ensuring safe and 

efficient air transportation around the 

globe. 

Taiwan clearly deserves to be 

brought into ICAO as an observer—a 

status specifically recognized under 

ICAO’s own rules. 

Taiwan has jurisdiction over airspace 

comprising 176,000 square nautical 

miles and provides air traffic control 

services to over 1.3 million flights each 

year. It has the eighth largest airport 

in the world by cargo volume, and the 

18th largest by the number of international passengers. 

Taiwan’s exclusion from ICAO has 

impeded Taiwan’s efforts to maintain 

civil aviation standards to keep up 

with rapidly evolving international 

standards. It is unable to even contact 

ICAO for up-to-date information on 

aviation standards and norms, nor can 

it receive ICAO’s technical assistance 

implementing new regulations or participate in ICAO technical and academic seminars. 

Despite these impediments, Taiwan 

has made every effort to comply with 

ICAO’s standards, but their continued 

exclusion not only hurts Taiwan, it 

puts the entire international aviation 

system at risk. Indeed, Taiwan’s exclusion has prevented ICAO from developing a truly global strategy to address 

security threats. 

With this resolution, Congress calls 

on the international community to 

grant Taiwan observer status at ICAO, 

not only to help Taiwan, but to ensure 

ICAO can fulfill its own mission and 

address international threats to aviation security. We call on the United 

States government to take the leading 

role at ICAO to assist Taiwan in gaining that status and look forward to 

working with our administration officials to track the development of these 

efforts. 

I urge my colleagues to support the 

resolution, and I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

will make some remarks, and then I 

will also yield back the remainder of 

our time. 

I rise in strong support of this important resolution which calls upon the 

International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, to grant meaningful participation for Taiwan. 

Is there any doubt in a post-September 11th world that air traffic safety constitutes one of the first lines of 

defense against those who would do 

harm to the United States or to our 

friends and allies? Are not the people of 

Taiwan deserving of the same level of 

protection against air assault as provided to the other peoples whose governments participate in ICAO? 

The Taipei flight information region, 

under the jurisdiction of Taiwan, covers an airspace of 176,000 square nautical miles. Taiwan’s main international airport is recognized as the 

eighth largest in the world in cargo 

traffic and the 18th in the number of 

international passengers who make use 

of its services. 

Can there be any doubt, therefore, 

that Taiwan, which provides air safety 

control services for well over 1,350,000 

flights annually needs meaningful participation in the international organization responsible for air safety and security? 

Beijing, like some haughty overlord, 

condescendingly informed Taipei and 

the U.N. system in the year 2009 that it 

would allow, at least temporarily, Taiwan’s participation in the World 

Health Assembly. Meaningful participation in international organizations 

for Taiwan represents too important an 

issue to be determined only by the 

whims of Beijing. 

It is time to open the door to Taiwan’s constructive and meaningful participation in ICAO, and that time is 

now. 

The State Department, as this resolution suggests, should assume a leading role in providing an action plan to 

ensure that this happened as quickly as 

possible. We owe this, Mr. Speaker, to 

the people of Taiwan. We owe this to 

ensure as well for the air safety of 

those American passengers flying over 

the skies of the western Pacific. 

And here I am not speaking just in 

theoretical terms, Mr. Speaker. Let us 

not forget that it was less than three 

decades ago when, due to a tragic confusion in air communications, a Soviet 

military fighter shot down a Korean 

Air Lines civilian flight as it left western Pacific and flew inadvertently over 

Soviet territory. As we know, this resulted in the death of all 269 people on 

board, including a Member of this 

House, Congressman Larry McDonald 

of Georgia’s Seventh District. The Congressman was traveling to Seoul to 

commemorate the 30th anniversary of 

the United States-South Korea Mutual 

Defense Treaty. 

So air safety control is, therefore, a 

very serious matter. Taiwan needs 

meaningful participation in ICAO not 

only for the safety and security in the 

air of its own citizens but also for all of 

the peoples of the vibrant Asia Pacific 

region. 

ICAO will be holding its 12th Air 

Navigations Conference in November, 

and Taiwan should be, must be represented there in Montreal. 

So, Mr. Speaker, I urge that my colleagues join Mr. BERMAN and me in expressing their overwhelming support 

for this important resolution. 

With that, I yield back the balance of 

our time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 

ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend 

the rules and concur in the concurrent 

resolution, S. Con. Res. 17. 

The question was taken; and (twothirds being in the affirmative) the 

rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was concurred in. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on 

the table. 

f 

COMMUNICATION FROM CHIEF OF 

STAFF, THE HONORABLE FRANK 

R. WOLF, MEMBER OF CONGRESS 

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from Daniel F. Scandling, 

Chief of Staff, the Honorable FRANK R. 

WOLF, Member of Congress: 


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