[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TAIWANESE PEOPLE AND THEIR STRUGGLE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 1997

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, a Taiwanese-American 
constituent gave me a book entitled ``Formosa Betrayed'' written in 
1965 by American diplomat George Kerr. The book describes a painful 
episode in Taiwan's history, which is today known as the 2-28 Massacre.
  Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the massacre.
  After Japan had lost World War II, Taiwan was put under temporary 
administrative control of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Kuomintang. At 
the time, the Kuomintang was still fighting its civil war with Mao Tse-
tung's Communists on mainland China. The Nationalists under Governor 
Chen Yi treated Taiwan as a conquered territory. Initial euphoria about 
the arrival of the nationalist troops in Taiwan soon changed to 
conflict when the new authorities turned out to be repressive and 
corrupt. That anger resulted in the 2-28 Massacre which claimed the 
lives of an estimated 18,000-28,000 Taiwanese in 1947. The event 
represents the beginning of 40 years of Martial Law on the island 
during which Chiang's mainlanders ruled the island with an iron fist.
  Mr. Speaker, the date February 28 is etched in the hearts and minds 
of the Taiwanese people. Beginning this year, Taiwan dedicates February 
28 as a national holiday.
  On the 50th anniversary of the 2-28 Massacre, we recognize the 
sacrifice of the Taiwanese people and their struggle for self-
determination and reaffirm our commitment to a free and democratic 
Taiwan and to the strong relationship between our two countries.

                          ____________________