[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E985-E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


COMMENDING THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT 
    LEE TENG-HUI AS TAIWAN'S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me today in 
commending the Republic of China on the first anniversary of President 
Lee Teng-hui as Taiwan's first democratically elected President. I was 
part of the official delegation President Clinton sent to mark the 
occasion last year.
  President Lee was directly elected by the people of Taiwan as their 
ninth President and inaugurated 1 year ago today. Despite an attempt at 
intimidation, democracy won. The United States has vital economic and 
military interests in this area of the world, and it is important for 
our country to commend the democratic efforts in this region.
  One year after his inauguration, President Lee is considered a beacon 
of democracy in the Far East. Taiwan's democratization should be an 
inspiring model for governments around the world. The United States is 
a government that rewards democracy and capitalism, so Taiwan's free 
and fair elections are indeed cause to celebrate.
  Both President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich have made 
clear that Taiwan is our friend, so it is appropriate today that we pay 
tribute to this young democracy on the first anniversary of President 
Lee's inauguration.
  I also ask my colleagues to join me in commending Foreign Minister 
John Chang as he begins his second year of promoting stronger relations 
between the United States and Taiwan.

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