[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, the voters in Taiwan went to the polls two 
years ago to elect the first democratic head of state in Chinese 
history. Incumbent Lee Teng-hui received 54% of the vote, far 
outdistancing his three rivals and sending the world an unmistakable 
message that true democracy has arrived in the Republic of China.
  I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Taiwan 
on their president's second anniversary in office. I was there to see 
him sworn into office, as part of the official United States delegation 
representing President Clinton, and it was an awesome sight. I offer my 
congratulations to President Lee for his unwavering determination to 
make his country one of Asia's liveliest democracies and the example 
how profitable a free and democratic Chinese society can be.
  President Lee's election victory in 1996 has thrust him onto the 
international stage and put him in the company of the world leaders. He 
has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his vision and his 
leadership in democratic and economic matters. His repeated attempts to 
reach out to Chinese leaders have won him worldwide praise.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in offering our collective 
congratulations to President Lee for his tremendous international 
accomplishments.

                          ____________________