[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WELCOME TO A NEW DEMOCRACY

  (Mr. FUNDERBURK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FUNDERBURK. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese civilization is the world's 
oldest continuous one. The Chinese are rightfully proud of their 
civilization and culture. This weekend the Chinese people on Taiwan 
will undertake a historic event that has never occurred in 4,000 years 
of Chinese history. For the very first time, the Chinese on Taiwan will 
vote directly for its president. I heartily applaud this act of self-
determination. This act of popularly electing a president is in accord 
with the very principle of democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my most heartfelt congratulations from 
one of the world's oldest democratic republics to one of the youngest. 
To this end, I have submitted a House concurrent resolution extending 
our congratulations to the free noncommunist republic of China on 
Taiwan.

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