[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2313-H2314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS WELCOMING PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN OF
TAIWAN TO UNITED STATES
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 135) expressing the sense of
Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United
States, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Graves). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 135
Whereas for more than 50 years, a close relationship has
existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been
of enormous economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to
both countries;
Whereas the United States and Taiwan share common ideals
and a vision for the 21st century;
Whereas freedom and democracy are the strongest foundations
for peace and prosperity;
Whereas Taiwan has demonstrated an improved record on human
rights and a commitment to democratic ideals of freedom of
speech, freedom of the press, and free and fair elections
routinely held in a multiparty system, as evidenced by the
March 18, 2000, election of Chen Shui-bian as Taiwan's new
president;
Whereas President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan visited the
United States on August 13, 2000, when several Members of
Congress expressed interest in meeting with President Chen
Shui-bian during his layover in Los Angeles, California, en
route to Latin America;
Whereas the meeting with President Chen Shui-bian did not
take place because of pressure from Washington and Beijing;
Whereas the Congress thereby lost the opportunity to
communicate directly with President Chen Shui-bian about
developments in the Asia-Pacific region and key elements of
the relationship between the United States and Taiwan; and
Whereas the upcoming May 21, 2001, visit to the United
States by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan is another
significant opportunity to broaden and strengthen relations
between the United States and Taiwan: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) warmly welcomes President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan upon
his visit to the United States;
(2) requests President Chen Shui-bian to communicate to the
people of Taiwan the support of the Congress and of the
people of the United States; and
(3) recognizes that the visit of President Chen Shui-bian
to the United States is a significant step toward broadening
and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the
United States and Taiwan.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the resolution
introduced by the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Schaffer.
This resolution welcomes president Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the
United States next week. President Chen is stopping in New York on his
way to Central and South America. Later, he will visit Houston, Texas.
At the International Relations Committee's request, Mr. Schaffer has
agreed to make several technical changes, and we are now pleased to
waive jurisdiction and support a unanimous consent request that this
measure be considered out of order.
This is an important resolution, Mr. Speaker. Taiwan is one of our
nation's most important friends in the world. We share the values of
democracy, human rights and free markets. President Chen deserves a
warm welcome as he comes to New York City and later to Houston, Texas.
Taiwan's democracy and economy have thrived in recent years despite
direct threats from the People's Republic of China. We must send a
strong message to China that Taiwan and the United States stand
together against such intimidation.
I thank the gentleman from Colorado for bringing this resolution
before us, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Amendment In the Nature Of A Substitute Offered By Mr. Gilman
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr.
Gilman:
Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the
following:
That the Congress--
(1) warmly welcomes President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan upon
his visit to the United States;
(2) requests President Chen Shui-bian to communicate to the
people of Taiwan the support of the Congress and of the
people of the United States; and
(3) recognizes that the visit of President Chen Shui-bian
to the United States is another significant opportunity to
broaden and strengthen the friendship and cooperation between
the United States and Taiwan.
Mr. GILMAN (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered as read
and printed in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
[[Page H2314]]
There was no objection.
The amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
The concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
Amendment To The Preamble Offered By Mr. Gilman
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Gilman:
Amend the preamble to read as follows:
Whereas for more than 50 years, a close relationship has
existed between the United States and Taiwan, which has been
of enormous economic, cultural, and strategic advantage to
both countries;
Whereas the United States and Taiwan share common ideals
and a vision for the 21st century;
Whereas freedom and democracy are the strongest foundations
for peace and prosperity;
Whereas Taiwan has demonstrated an improved record on human
rights and a commitment to democratic ideals of freedom of
speech, freedom of the press, and free and fair elections
routinely held in a multiparty system, as evidenced by the
March 18, 2000, election of Chen Shui-bian as Taiwan's new
president; and
Whereas the upcoming May 21, 2001, visit to the United
States by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan is another
significant opportunity to broaden and strengthen the
friendship and cooperation between the United States and
Taiwan:
Mr. GILMAN (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that the amendment to the preamble be considered as read and printed in
the Record.
The Speaker pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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