[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING TAIWAN PRESIDENT FOR HIS THIRD YEAR OF SERVICE AND 
                     TAIWAN'S MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, Chen Shui-bian, President of Taiwan, is 
nearing the end of his third year of service as its leader. I wish to 
take this opportunity to congratulate him, and to note several of 
Taiwan's accomplishments.
  Taiwan, our eighth largest trading partner, has maintained friendly 
ties with the United States for more than half a century. We appreciate 
Taiwan's support for the war against terrorism, and its pledge of 
humanitarian assistance to post-war Iraq, a generous measure of support 
for its reconstruction.
  Over the past several decades, Taiwan has become a successful model 
of rapid political reform and a true democracy. The people of Taiwan 
enjoy one of the highest levels standards of living in Asia, including 
universal education and medical care for people of all ages.
  We look forward to Taiwan strengthening its bilateral relations with 
the United States, and wish it good luck as Taiwan seeks to join the 
World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation 
Organization. Taiwan's participation in worldwide organizations and 
activities would be a positive step worthy of commendation.

                          ____________________