Eni Faleomavaega: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to especially thank my good friend from New York and the gentlewoman from…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to especially thank my good friend from New York and the gentlewoman from Florida for their leadership and their support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 714, a resolution I introduced calling for the peaceful and collaborative resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. I thank my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, who have stood with me since 2012 on this issue. I want to especially thank again Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Chairman Steve Chabot for their leadership and support. I also thank Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their support and help. I am so serious about this matter that I have introduced this language as a resolution, as a bill, and now again as a resolution in hopes that the House will take a stand in response to China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to China, I consider myself a fair broker, but it is time for China to stop provoking its neighbors and pursue a course of peace. This is the last resolution I have introduced that the House will consider, and I am proud that this resolution calls for peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Also, as a matter of observation, Mr. Speaker, two-thirds of the world's population is in the Asia-Pacific region.…”