EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ 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.

September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1551 

HONORING THE NATIONAL DAY OF 

THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) 

HON. DENNIS A. ROSS OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. ROSS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, October 

10th is the National Day of the Republic of 

China (Taiwan). 

Despite its small geographical size, Taiwan 

is a vibrant democracy and a free market 

economy that respects human rights and the 

rule of law. 

The United States and Taiwan have enjoyed 

a strong security and economic partnership for 

over half of a century. Our common interest in 

peace and security has guided U.S.-Taiwan 

relations and our commitment to Taiwan’s security, as stated in the 1979 Taiwan Relations 

Act, has enabled Taiwan to build a strong 

democratic government that, today, serves as 

a beacon for others in the region and beyond. 

Similarly, Taiwan’s economic partnership 

with us has benefited both countries. As a result, Taiwan is our ninth largest trading partner, with the United States importing nearly 

$36 billion worth of Made in Taiwan goods 

and exporting $26 billion in goods and services to Taiwan. 

In recent years, the communications between Washington and Taiwan President Ma 

Ying-jeou’s administration has been smooth 

and effortless. However, there is still room for 

improvement. For instance, we still need to 

assist Taiwan’s meaningful participation in 

world agencies, help Taiwan meet its military 

needs, negotiate a free trade agreement with 

Taiwan, and waive visa requirements for Taiwanese tourists coming to the U.S. With the 

support of the United States, I hope Taiwan’s 

goals come true. 

Congratulations to the people and leaders of 

Taiwan on their National Day. 

f 

IN HONOR OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONTEREY-SALINAS 

TRANSIT (MST) 

HON. SAM FARR OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct 

honor and privilege of representing California’s 

17th congressional district and, on behalf of all 

the residents of the Central Coast, I would like 

to commend to my colleagues’ attention the 

40th Anniversary of Monterey-Salinas Transit, 

(MST). 

The Monterey Peninsula Public Transit System Joint Powers Agency was formed by the 

cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside and the county of Monterey on October 1, 1972. As the predecessor 

of Monterey-Salinas Transit, it served the 

Monterey Peninsula area, and later expanded 

to provide service to the cities of Marina, Salinas, and Watsonville. With the formation of 

the Monterey-Salinas Transit District on July 1, 

2010, MST today serves one-fifth of the coastline of California from San Jose in the north to 

Paso Robles in the south at 1,300 bus stops 

in 25 communities throughout Monterey, Santa 

Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obisbo 

Counties. 

Through the foresight of the MST board 

members and the ongoing support of the Federal government, transit service in the Monterey region is consistently at the forefront of 

technology and innovation, with ridership of 

four and a half million passengers each year, 

on traditional fixed-route buses as well as 

paratransit minibus service for disabled customers, the popular MST Trolley system for 

visitors, ‘‘MST OnCall’’ demand response 

services in south Monterey County, and the 

award-winning Carmel Valley Grapevine Express. 

New for 2012 is the MST JAZZ Bus Rapid 

Transit system, funded in part by a $2.78 million Federal Transit Administration Section 

5309 Capital New Starts grant. MST JAZZ follows a 6.75 mile route on the Monterey Peninsula starting in Sand City, running along Fremont Boulevard in Seaside, through downtown 

Monterey and along the visitor-intensive Lighthouse Avenue corridor in New Monterey, ending at the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium at the edge of the city of Pacific Grove. 

MST has partnered with the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival, currently celebrating its 

55th year, to create a distinct brand and marketing identity for the new ‘‘JAZZ’’ line. The 

Festival has opened its archives for the project 

and has worked with MST to develop a yearround linear jazz museum featuring dramatic 

jazz-themed displays on the buses and at 

each of the 30 custom designed shelters 

along the route. Passenger amenities include 

benches, bike racks and real-time electronic 

bus arrival and departure signage linked via 

Global Positioning Systems to the location of 

each JAZZ vehicle along the route. While waiting for the JAZZ buses, passengers will be 

able to listen and view on their smart phones 

actual recordings from the Monterey Jazz Festival throughout its 55-year history and learn 

more about the artists who performed for Festival audiences over the decades. 

Not only does MST play a significant role in 

the transportation system of the Monterey Bay 

region, but it helps meet the basic transportation needs of thousands of constituents. 

More than one out of every three MST passengers live in a household without an automobile. A majority of MST passengers are either low-income and/or elderly. To further enhance senior mobility, MST is utilizing Federal 

Transit Administration Section 5317 New Freedoms funds to provide free travel training and 

volunteer assistance through the innovative 

‘‘MST Navigators’’ program to Monterey County residents 65 years and older, as well as 

subsidized trips in local taxicabs at a cost of 

only $3.00 for paratransit-eligible clients. Several Monterey Peninsula jurisdictions and the 

city of Salinas have also become funding partners with MST to extend this taxi discount 

voucher program to all seniors in their communities. 

In addition, MST is at the forefront of forging 

partnerships with local stakeholders to expand 

public transit options throughout the community. MST’s award-winning partnership with the 

United States Army’s Defense Languages Institute at the Presidio of Monterey transports 

nearly 50,000 military and civilian personnel 

each month from all corners of the MST service area to work, relieving local traffic congestion and enabling the redevelopment of parking lots into language classrooms and training 

facilities vital to the global mission of our military. At Naval Postgraduate School, MST has 

again partnered with the military to provide 

two additional transit lines connecting student, 

faculty and staff housing areas with the college. And, MST’s latest military partnership 

provides employees at Fort Hunter Liggett in 

rural southern Monterey County with two more 

transit lines connecting the base with communities in the Salinas Valley and San Luis 

Obispo County. MST’s partnerships also extend to local colleges, with a University Pass 

program with California State University-Monterey Bay and a free fare zone at Hartnell 

Community College in Salinas. The Monterey 

Bay Aquarium is also a local funding partner 

for transit, helping to support the MST Trolley 

visitor-oriented service in downtown Monterey 

and Cannery Row and leading a new initiative 

designed to increase accessibility to the 

Aquarium for low income and minority residents of the Salinas Valley. 

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to commend 

Monterey-Salinas Transit for providing 40 

years of exemplary public service to the Central Coast of California and ask my colleagues 

in the House of Representatives to wish them 

well on the next 40 years. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO BRETT BUNNELL 

HON. TOM LATHAM OF IOWA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize and congratulate Brett Bunnell of 

Norwalk, Iowa for being awarded the Girl 

Scout Gold Award. 

The Gold Award is the highest award that a 

high school-aged Girl Scout can earn. This is 

a prestigious honor as fewer than 6 percent of 

eligible Girl Scouts attain the Gold Award in a 

given year. 

To earn a Gold Award, a Girl Scout must 

complete a minimum of 80 hours towards a 

community project that is both memorable and 

lasting. For her project, Brett worked to update 

rooms in her church by installing blinds and 

redecorating. The work ethic Brett has shown 

to earn her Gold Award speaks volumes about 

her commitment to serving a cause greater 

than herself and assisting her community. 


pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS