[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 162 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORLD PEACE PRIZE AWARD FOR 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. LEACH

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2001

  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, today the World Peace Prize Awarding Council 
will award its highest honor, the World Peace Prize, to the Vice 
President of Taiwan, Annette Lu. The Vice President will be the first 
woman to receive the award.
  Ms. Lu has had a distinguished career in public service, and has been 
concerned in particular to promote democracy and open, accountable 
government in Taiwan and to further women's rights. In 1979, when 
Taiwan still had an authoritarian government, she made a brief speech 
on human rights during a public demonstration later known as the 
Kaohsiung Incident. Along with many other opposition figures, she was 
sent to prison for 12 years. After five years in prison she was 
released to undergo medical treatment, and promptly resumed her 
campaign for progressive political change on Taiwan. By the early 
1990s, Taiwan had largely completed its successful transition to 
democratic governance. Ms. Lu entered politics in 1993 and became Vice 
President in March 2000--the highest-ranking woman to be elected to 
office in 5,000 years of Chinese history.
  While Ms. Lu has taken a controversial position on Taiwan 
independence, one which from a U.S. perspective is beyond the 
contemplation of the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act 
that underpin U.S.-China relations, the heroic commitment she has made 
to the democratic evolution on Taiwan deserves the commendation of the 
world community. We honor Vice President Lu for her commitment to 
democracy and congratulate her for receiving the World Peace Prize.

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