The relationship between the United States and Asia is of considerable importance to me. Therefore, I have attempted to ensure that American foreign policy further reaches out to the Asian region with the message that the U.S. is committed to social equality, economic development, and democratic governance in Asia.

I strive to assist and support my Asian-American constituents with concerns they may have about U.S.-Asia relations.  Asian-Americans make up more than four and a half percent of the American population and have made a substantial impact on our nation's development. Indeed, the contribution of Asian Americans in our society is significant and cannot be underestimated.

In recent years, there has been increased economic interdependence between the U.S. and the Asian Continent.  The U.S. has an abiding economic interest in the region, which is characterized by strong economic growth.  Although the region's economies are recovering from the economic crisis of the late 1990's, more than one third of U.S. total trade is conducted with the region, and it ranks as our second-largest trading partner after Canada and Mexico. Countries such as Japan, which has become one the world's largest economies and leading aid donors, demonstrates the power of the Asian economy.

But with increased globalization and interdependence, I have noticed a deterioration of labor and environmental standards across the Asian continent. The outsourcing of employment to regions such as Asia has caused a milieu of social, economic and environmental problems. With this in mind, I will continue to push legislation to ensure that our trade policies with Asian countries are not to the detriment of international labor standards, the environment, or U.S. employment.

Although many countries in Asia are moving toward addressing human rights abuses, disappearances, torture, police abuse, and human trafficking still exist within the Asian region.

Similarly, the degradation of the global environment is a serious issue that needs to be immediately addressed. The environment in many Asian countries has taken second place to rapid development. The environmental cost of industrialization often extends beyond physical borders and needs to be addressed if we are to protect our valuable ecosystems for future generations.

The recent Tsunami that heavily affected the people of Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and many other neighboring countries is still of concern to me. The restoration efforts have been steady, but there is still more that we can and must do to aid those who have lost loved ones and their homes.

The U.S.-Asian kinship is not exclusively based on ethnic ties or on economic interdependence. Since September 11, 2001, the threat of global terrorism has been a shared concern between the United States and the Asian continent.  Like the United States, the Asian region is afflicted by terrorist organizations. The region has taken events of terrorism very seriously. Countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, Pakistan and Indonesia have taken positive steps in combating terrorism. Unfortunately, terrorist groups such as Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Abu Sayyaf are still present and active in Asia.

Through various means such as serving on the House Select Intelligence on Committee, participating in high level talks, and introducing legislation, I have been and will continue to be committed to combating the global threat of terrorism. 

Terrorism, coupled with the military build up of the region, poses a real and imminent threat to Asia's population and the global community. The continent has three nuclear weapon states, a number of countries with ballistic missile capabilities, and two of the world's six largest defense budgets.

Above all else, the Korean peninsula, the Taiwan Strait, Kashmir, and the volatile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan make the region the locus of conflict flashpoints. As a result, I have urged the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region.

For example, I introduced a resolution condemning North Korea for its failure to comply with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the U.S.-North Korea Agreed framework of 1994.  I also introduced legislation calling on Iran to immediately fulfill its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and supporting United Nations' sanctions. 

Given the current developments in North Korea and Iran, I am convinced that the solution to the ongoing crisis over the development of these country's nuclear and missile capability lies in conducting effective negotiations with other countries in the region from Saudi Arabia to Morocco to Tunesia.  It is in the United States' and the rest of the worlds' common interest to learn from the lessons of the Cold War and prevent any nuclear arms race in the region.  

Asia is a dynamic region that I regard with the utmost respect. I am committed to strengthening long-standing alliances and opening up dialogue on both domestic and international issues and providing support and assistance wherever it is needed.