In Memoriam

Senator John D. Rockefeller IV
1937 – 2026

November 6, 2026

Dear Council members, friends, and colleagues,

The U.S.-Taiwan relationship lost a hugely important voice today with the passing of former Senator John D. Rockefeller IV.

Senator Jay Rockefeller was a leading voice through the 1990s and early 2000s in what was a golden age of U.S. Senate support for Taiwan. In 1997, Senator Rockefeller joined fellow Senator Frank Murkowski as the US-Taiwan Business Council’s (USTBC) inaugural Honorary Co-Chairmen. The two of them also traveled together to Taiwan in 2000 to support a major USTBC conference.

Senator Rockefeller advocated tirelessly for relations between our two peoples and the deepening of bilateral ties. He was also kind to his staff, and to the staff of organizations like USTBC that he associated with, and he was a deeply decent man.

Our sympathies and prayers go to Senator Rockefeller’s family. He will be greatly missed.

Sincerely yours,

Rupert J. Hammond-Chambers
President
US-Taiwan Business Council

Senator Jay Rockefeller, Senator Frank Murkowski, Taiwan Ambassador Jason Hu, USTBC President David Laux, and Mr. Richard Bush at the 1997 reception on Capitol Hill to announce USTBC’s new Honorary Co-Chairmen.