[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, October 10, 1998 was the occasion of the 
Republic of China's National Day. Eighty seven years ago, Sun Yat Sen 
and his fellow revolutionaries declared independence from the 
authoritarian Manchu government and founded the Republic of China.
  Echoing the famous words of one of America's greatest leaders, 
Abraham Lincoln, at his Gettysburg address, article I of the 
constitution of the Republic of China states that Taiwan ``shall be a 
democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for 
the people.'' The Republic of China is living proof that democracy 
works. Founded as a democracy, Taiwan has grown, matured and evolved 
from a single party system into a multiparty democracy with a stable 
economy. Free and fair elections are a reality here, not a false 
promise, and open and lively debate is a trademark of Taiwanese 
politics.
  Ronald Reagan, who singlehandedly brought down the Iron curtain and 
communism, once referred to America as the ``Shining city on the 
hill.'' Well, that is an apt metaphor for Taiwan too. Thanks to the 
leadership and vision of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, former 
President Chiang Ching Kuo and President Lee Teng Hui, Taiwan is also a 
shining example of freedom and democracy and a strong bulwark against 
communism.
  Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the eighty-seventh birthday of the 
Republic of China, I wish to offer my most heartfelt congratulations 
for a nation that has done so much in such a short period of time. I am 
confident that we can all look forward to continuing our long and 
prosperous partnership with one of our strongest allies in East Asia.
  Finally, I would like to commend Stephen Chen, Taiwan's 
representative to the U.S. His hard work and patriotism is an asset to 
his nation.




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