[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.

                          ____________________