[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REGARDING THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION IN TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE SCARBOROUGH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2000

  Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, this coming Saturday, Taiwan will 
inaugurate a new democratically elected president and vice president. 
Mr. Chen Shuibian and his partner, Ms. Annette Lu, were elected 
president and vice president of Taiwan on March 18, 2000. Their 
historic victory marked only the second time that a direct presidential 
election was held on Chinese soil, and the first time in China's modern 
history that the opposition party candidates won. Together, Chen and Lu 
will relieve the ruling Nationalist party of its executive power.
  This stunning victory directly resulted from Taiwan's unwavering 
progress toward democratization during the past fifteen years. Today, 
Taiwan validates itself as a mature, successful democracy. We should be 
proud of its political transformation, and wish Taiwan well in its 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to send Chen and Lu our 
congratulations, and would like to reaffirm the United States' pledge 
of support for the democratic ideals bravely achieved by the Taiwanese 
people.

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