Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 154 (Wednesday, October 29, 2003)

[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 154 (Wednesday, October 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H10074-H10078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

WELCOMING PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN OF TAIWAN TO UNITED STATES

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 302) expressing the sense of
Congress welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United
States on October 31, 2003.
The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 302

Whereas for more than 50 years an iron-clad relationship
has existed between the United States and Taiwan which has
been of enormous economic, cultural, and strategic benefit to
both nations;
Whereas the United States and Taiwan share common ideals
and a clear vision for

[[Page H10075]]

the 21st century, where freedom and democracy are the
foundations for peace, prosperity, and progress;
Whereas Taiwan has demonstrated its unequivocal support for
human rights and a commitment to the democratic ideals of
freedom of speech, freedom of the press, rule of law, and
free and fair elections routinely held in a multiparty
system;
Whereas the upcoming October 31, 2003, visit to the United
States of Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian is another
significant step in broadening and deepening the friendship
and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan;
Whereas on October 31, 2003, Taiwan's President Chen Shui-
bian will be presented an award by the International League
for Human Rights for his efforts in promoting tolerance,
democracy, and human rights; and
Whereas Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian will bring a
strong message from the Taiwanese people that Taiwan will
cooperate and support the United States campaign against
international terrorism and efforts to rebuild and bring
democracy and stability to Afghanistan and Iraq: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) offers its warmest welcome to President Chen Shui-bian
of Taiwan upon his visit to the United States on October 31,
2003;
(2) asks President Chen Shui-bian to communicate to the
people of Taiwan the support of Congress and of the American
people;
(3) recognizes that the visit of President Chen Shui-bian
of Taiwan to the United States is a significant step toward
broadening and deepening the friendship and cooperation
between the United States and Taiwan;
(4) congratulates President Chen Shui-bian on his receiving
the Human Rights Award from the International League for
Human Rights; and
(5) thanks President Chen Shui-bian and the government and
people of Taiwan for their humanitarian and medical
assistance in Afghanistan and post-war Iraq as well as for
their willingness to contribute to the peace, stability, and
prosperity of the Middle East.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

General Leave

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 302.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I first of all want to thank the distinguished gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos) for his leadership on this issue. And I
might add that I had the opportunity just to get back last night from a
trip to Baghdad and Turkey and Jordan as well, and traveling with the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) is like travel basically in a
seminar and listening to him talk about the situation. One learns a
great deal, not only in committee but traveling with the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos); and I want to thank him for his leadership and
for educating many of us who were with him.
I also wanted to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Wexler), who is also a fellow co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan
Caucus, for offering this resolution, as well as my colleagues, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Brown), who are also founding co-chairs of the caucus.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my enthusiastic support for H.
Con. Res. 302, a resolution warmly welcoming the visit to the United
States of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. I call upon all Members to
join in supporting a resolution which affirms the American values of
democracy and human rights, for there is no place in the world
providing a clearer example of respect for these values than that of
Taiwan.
President Chen was inaugurated after fair and free elections where
the people of Taiwan, despite high-handed pressure from the outside,
exercised their free choice in selecting their leadership. Taiwan
stands out as a shining example, a beacon of these democratic values
which reaches across the strait to the people of mainland China.
It is also fitting and proper that the Congress should welcome the
visit of the leader of this flourishing democracy, a testament to the
fact that Chinese culture is not inherently inconsistent with
democratic values. The International League of Human Rights, which will
present President Chen a human rights awards for its efforts in
promoting tolerance, democracy and human rights, fully recognizes the
fact that Taiwan and its democratically elected leader are sterling
examples for not only Asia but for the entire world.
I note that despite his busy New York schedule, President Chen will
take time to visit a memorial to mourn the passing of the former first
lady of China and Taiwan, Madam Chiang Kai-shek, who died in Manhattan
last week at the venerable age of 105 years old.
Madam Chiang's passing reminds us again of the long and enduring ties
between the freedom-loving people of the United States and the freedom-
loving people of Taiwan. Madam Chiang was the first Asian woman to
address a joint session of this Congress during the World War II era
when we were united in the ultimately successful struggle against
international fascism during that war. She returned to the Congress in
1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of that
historic conflict. We in the Congress join President Chen and the
people of Taiwan in mourning Madam Chiang's passing.
Finally, I do not want to miss the opportunity provided by President
Chen's visit to thank him and the people of Taiwan for their steadfast
support for the campaign against international terrorism, the
prevention of the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and the
reconstruction of both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The recent interdiction by Taiwan port authorities of chemical cargo
bound for North Korea is but one example of their continued support in
the war against international terrorism.
With the passage of this resolution, the House warmly welcomes
President Chen Shui-bian and congratulates him on receiving the Human
Rights Award.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. At the
outset, let me thank my good friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Chabot), for his undeserved and very generous comments for which I am
very deeply grateful.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my friend and distinguished colleague,
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler), for introducing this
significant resolution.
When I first visited Taiwan decades ago, it was a destitute
dictatorship. It is now a thriving and prosperous free and democratic
society. The political landscape in Taiwan has fundamentally changed
over the past 2 decades. Authoritarian rule has been tossed aside, and
Taiwan's leaders are now chosen by free and fair elections. Taiwan has
become a vibrant democracy, serving as a beacon to those across the
entire Asia Pacific region who yearn for freedom, showing that
democracy can and does thrive in a Chinese context.
The resolution before us, Mr. Speaker, welcomes the elected President
of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian to the United States during a so-called
transit visit.
Mr. Speaker, we are, of course, pleased that President Chen is
transiting the United States and he will have the opportunity to meet
with Members of Congress and other American leaders over the next few
days. But if Taiwan were any other nation, Mr. Speaker, President Chen
would be welcomed with a Rose Garden ceremony, a state dinner, and the
opportunity to address a joint session of Congress. These honors, Mr.
Speaker, would be commensurate with the increasingly close and mutually
beneficial relationship between our two countries. Not only is Taiwan a
bulwark of democracy in the Asia Pacific region, it is our eighth
largest trading partner. We have an extremely close security
relationship, and Taiwan has stepped up to provide humanitarian and
medical assistance in both postconflict Afghanistan and postconflict
Iraq.
In short, Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is one of our closest allies in the
Asia Pacific region. Yet, due to the sensitivities of

[[Page H10076]]

the People's Republic of China, the executive branch refuses to give
Taiwan the status and recognition it deserves.
Mr. Speaker, I support a strong and vibrant relationship between the
PRC and the United States. Provocative steps which upset the peace
across the Taiwan straits should be avoided; but we must find new ways
to show the people of Taiwan that the United States recognize Taiwan's
profound economic and Democratic transformation and that our Nation
will work energetically to promote a greater role for Taiwan in the
community.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to meeting with President Chen this
weekend and discussing with him ways in which we can strengthen the
political, economic, and security ties between our two nations. I will
tell President Chen that this Congress will not stop fighting until
Taiwan can participate in the World Health Organization and many other
international organizations in which Taiwan can and will make a
significant contribution. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to
support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. DeLay), the distinguished majority leader.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, in the world today, few men live their lives
as a model of courage and freedom with as much vigor as Chen Shui-bian.
As President of Taiwan, Chen has been a stalwart champion of human
rights and an ally of the United States in the war on terror. And
during his visit to New York this week, President Chen will be
recognized by the International League of Human Rights promoting and
defending the inalienable rights of all men to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.
With this resolution, the American people will welcome President Chen
to our Nation and send a message with him back across the Pacific that
the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Taiwan. And
during his time in office, President Chen has revealed himself to be a
true friend of the American people, and a vital ally in pursuit of our
common interests around the world.
I was honored to host President Chen myself in Houston in 2001, his
first such visit to the United States, during which we took in an
Astros game and had the chance to introduce him to Texas cuisine. And I
know it did not compare with shark fin soup, but I think he liked it
nonetheless.
Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is an indisputable success as an ally and as a
nation. America's solidarity with Taiwan and her people, the solidarity
of freedom, will not be served by convenience nor threatened by
bullying.
Our brave friend President Chen leads an island of hope, Mr. Speaker,
a light shining out from dark shadows of an oppressive tyranny. With
this resolution we will tell the citizens of that shining island that
we see their light on the horizon and know the sun of freedom is rising
over the Pacific.
I urge my colleagues to send that message of hope and solidarity to
the people of Taiwan and vote for this resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler), the distinguished author of this
resolution.
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I join my colleagues,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), in strongly
supporting this resolution welcoming the President of Taiwan, President
Chen, to the United States.
Since assuming office in May 2000, President Chen has demonstrated
his steadfast commitment to the ironclad relationship between the
United States and Taiwan and the shared principles upon which our
partnership has been formed, that of democracy, freedom, and the
defense of human rights. In fact, during his visit to America,
President Chen will be presented an award by the International League
for Human Rights in recognition of his efforts to promote tolerance and
freedom amongst the people of Taiwan. And I would like to express my
most sincere congratulations to President Chen for receiving this
highly esteemed award.
Mr. Speaker, in the past decades, Taiwan has blossomed into a strong
and dynamic democracy. It has experienced unprecedented economic,
political and social growth, culminating with its entry into the World
Trade Organization in 2002.

{time} 1545

Taiwan has demonstrated its unequivocal support for freedom of
speech, freedom of the press and the rule of law and a commitment to
democracy and its multifaceted alliance with the United States. In
fact, under President Chen's leadership, Taiwan has joined the war
against terror and contributed humanitarian and medical assistance to
American-led peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On behalf of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I wish to express our
appreciation to President Chen and the Taiwanese people for this
invaluable assistance and pledge America's continued commitment to the
security and prosperity of Taiwan.
President Chen's visit to America serves as a reminder that Taiwan is
one of America's most important allies in East Asia and a model of
democracy and progress in the region. I applaud President Chen for his
bold leadership, resolve, and vision and urge my colleagues to join me,
to join us in welcoming him to the United States and thanking him for
the deepening and historic, mutually beneficial relationship between
America and Taiwan.
Finally, I would like to reiterate the comments by the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos) suggesting in the most critical of terms that
Taiwan be given the opportunity to enter the World Health Organization.
The experience with respect to SARS this past year points out how
important it is that Taiwan be given that opportunity, and the people
of Taiwan should always know that the people of America will stand with
them in their fight and defense of freedom.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Stearns).
(Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to
express our warm welcome to President Chen and his delegation from
Taiwan to New York City and obviously to support this legislation.
Taiwan and the United States have enjoyed a very close relationship
with each other for more than 50 years. It is political, it is
economic, it is cultural. It has been a rich association for both of
us. In fact, Mr. Speaker, despite its size, it is our 8th largest
trading partner, and we are Taiwan's largest trading partner.
For this and for many other reasons, the United States must
unabashedly, unabashedly stand behind the Taiwan Relations Act which
will communicate our resolve, our intention, our commitment for a
peaceful resolution in Taiwan.
Mr. Speaker, it has always been that Taiwan has been a reliable ally
to the United States. They stood with us, shoulder to shoulder, right
after 9/11, and Taiwan has given us its support of our war with Iraq
and, as a Nation, has promised humanitarian assistance into postwar
Iraq. So I look forward to meeting with him in New York and hearing his
vision and commitment to the continued democratization of Taiwan.
Just as a footnote, I might point out he is coming up for reelection.
Just like all of us come up every 2 years, he comes up for reelection
in March of 2004. He is going to be involved with a free, open election
process, and with the free election process in Taiwan, they have a very
active campaign structure, and so I look forward to that just as he
does.
I might also point out that he is the first opposition candidate to
ever be elected in Taiwan. So, again, I think today we can look at that
country and say democracy is not only working, it is working uniquely,
and we want to commend him and stand behind that wonderful country of
Taiwan.

[[Page H10077]]

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), a distinguished member of the
Committee on International Relations.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California
(Mr. Lantos) for his work and his managing of this bill and his
incredible support for human rights around the world, for his entire
service in Congress.
I also want to thank the sponsors of this resolution and the cochairs
and founders of the Taiwan Caucus, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Chabot), my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher),
and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler), and I join all of them in
urging my colleagues to join me in welcoming President Chen Shui-bian
as he visits the United States this weekend.
The United States and Taiwan are true democracies that share common
ideals and share a clear vision for the future. Taiwan is a country
where freedom and democracy have become the foundation for peace, for
prosperity, for progress.
Taiwan shares common goals with the United States in supporting human
rights and a commitment to the democratic ideals of freedom of speech,
freedom of the press and free and fair elections that are the strength
of any democracy, but with Taiwan, it has not always been that way.
My first trip to Taiwan was many years ago when Taiwan was still
under marshall law. It was not anything close to a democracy. It was a
country with one-party rule. Some used the word ``fascist.'' Others
used other words to describe Taiwan, but one of the real miracles of
the world in the last 2\1/2\ decades is what has happened to that
country, a country that went from one-party totalitarian rule to a
country that is democratic, that is prosperous, that shares the ideals
of our country.
That miracle, that road to progress, that road to democracy was in
large part because of the courage and the fervor for human rights
exerted by people like Chen Shui-bian who sacrificed a great deal of
his life, his family's life and much of his time on this earth to
sacrifice that to bring Taiwan forward.
The move towards democracy, the miracle of Taiwan is partly because
of Chen Shui-bian, partly because of his political party of the DPP and
largely because of the commitment of Taiwanese in Taiwan and Taiwanese
overseas in this country who have been a major part of that.
The effort for Taiwan to get into the World Health Organization, as
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) mentioned, as the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos) mentioned has not yet reached fruition.
That is so very very important.
On a personal level, I have met President Chen Shui-bian when he was
mayor and when he was a candidate for the presidency of his country. He
has done a terrific job in dealing with issues like SARS. He has done a
terrific job in beginning to rebuild the economy in his country. He and
his political party, the DPP, have done a miraculous job in helping to
create the miracle that we know as Taiwan. It is a country that we
should look to as a model for much of the rest of the world, for a
developing country, that did not enjoy the fruits of democracy and has
moved towards that and puts them in the community of nations. We owe it
to that nation, that country to embrace them in the community of
nations.
I think President Chen Shui-bian's visit to the United States will
help do that this weekend.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), who has been a tireless leader for
speaking out on behalf of the people of Cuba.
Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend
from Ohio for yielding me the time.
For me, I consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to speak on
behalf of the resolution welcoming to the United States the elected
President of the Republic of China of Taiwan. I have always had
admiration for the Republic of China of Taiwan.
I believe that first they demonstrated an extraordinary, an
extraordinary and commendable and admirable will and devotion to work
and to sacrifice that permitted them to achieve economic prosperity
which is the envy of the world, and then they have made, as our
distinguished colleagues have mentioned today, also extraordinary and
admirable progress in democratization and have, in fact, established a
representative democracy that is to be admired by all of the world.
So I join my colleagues in welcoming President Chen Shui-bian to the
United States. The entire Congress and the American people welcome him
and say to him that we consider it a great privilege to be able to be
an ally and a friend of Taiwan, that that will always be reality, and
here in Congress I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, that we
reiterate our support for Taiwan, for the Taiwan Relations Act and that
we never falter, never falter in support and in reminding the world
that the safety and security of Taiwan is a matter of extreme
importance to this Congress, to the American Government and to the
American people.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
We are all looking forward to the distinguished President's visit. It
will further strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations, and on behalf of all of
us in Congress, we are honored to have him come again to the United
States.
Mr. BALLANCE. Mr. Speaker, as many Chinese-Americans and American
friends of Taiwan prepare to welcome Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian to
New York on October 31, I wish to pay tribute to this impressive Taiwan
leader.
At the age of 49, Mr. Chen Shui-bian was elected the tenth president
of the Republic of China on Taiwan in March 2000. Mr. Speaker, I have
learned that his political success came only after a series of personal
tragedies. As active political opponents of the government in the
1970's and 1980's, Mr. Chen and his wife were often targets of attack
by the government. In November 1985, Mr. Chen's wife was hit by a
tractor-truck speeding out of a narrow lane. Although Mrs. Chen's life
was spared, the lower half of her body was paralyzed. Mr. Speaker, In
1986, Mr. Chen was sentenced to eight months in prison for libel for
criticizing the government. At the end of 1986, campaigning in her
wheelchair Mrs. Chen was elected to the Legislative Yuan (Parliament).
After Mr. Chen was released from prison in 1987, he served as Mrs.
Chen's assistant and joined the Democratic Progressive Party, the
opposition party.
Subsequently, Mr. Chen became a member of the Legislative Yuan,
chairman of the Formosa Foundation and Mayor of Taipei, prior to his
election as president in 2000. President Chen undoubtedly is a fighter
for his people and his country. He has instilled confidence in his
people, making them feel that they are important, that they matter in
the world, and that they must choose their own future, without
interference from outside sources. Mr. Speaker, there are many who
believe that President Chen speaks for his people; the world should
listen carefully to what he has to say; and only he and his people can
help maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Mr. Speaker,
President Chen needs our help to make the right decisions that are good
for Taiwan.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting President Chen's
efforts.
Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in welcoming our
distinguished guest, President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan, to the United
States.
Mr. Chen Shui-bian was elected president of the Republic of China on
Taiwan on March 20, 2000. Since his election, he has shown true
leadership in improving Taiwan's economy, instituting further
democratic reform, and strengthening Taiwan's role in the international
community.
I am confident that President Chen will further strengthen Taiwan's
strong ties with the United States. Taiwan has been a key ally in our
efforts against global terrorism, and has pledged assistance to the
rebuilding of Afghanistan and Iraq.
I also trust that President Chen will soon begin a dialogue with the
leaders of the People's Republic of China with the interests of the 23
million people of Taiwan in mind. Taiwan is a sovereign nation and must
make its own decisions about its future without coercion from the
People's Republic.
I applaud President Chen's insistence on his people ``walking their
own road, their own Taiwan road.'' President Chen is a dynamic leader
with a vision for Taiwan's future, and I join my colleagues in
wholeheartedly welcoming him from one democracy to another.
Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Taiwan's President,
Chen Shui-bian as he travels through the United States later this
month. President Chen recently celebrated his third anniversary in
office; a term of service which has been marked by Taiwan's

[[Page H10078]]

strong support and friendship with the United States.
During his time in office, President Chen has shown that he is a
thoughtful, responsible leader, which has been evident in his handling
of cross-strait relations with the People's Republic of China.
President Chen has consistently stated that both sides of Taiwan Strait
have an obligation to uphold the principles of ``goodwill
reconciliation, active cooperation and permanent peace.'' Regrettably,
despite his many calls for dialogue and cooperation, the Chinese
government has insisted on the dated ``one country, two systems''
formula as the solution to the Taiwan issue.
President Chen's has asserted that ``Taiwan is not a province of one
country'' but a sovereign nation. I strongly agree with his assertion
and believe that President Chen is right to guide his country and his
people toward a brighter, more prosperous future.
As a strong supporter of Taiwan and its people, I believe the
widespread praise President Chen has received is well earned. He has
proven to be an effective leader for all of his people, with an
unswerving dedication to continued democratization, economic reform and
basic recognition of human rights.
I believe President Chen's U.S. visit will further enhance U.S.-
Taiwan relations and friendship. The Untied States and Taiwan have been
allies, partners and friends and this unique relationship will continue
to grow stronger in the future.
Mr. Speaker, America welcomes President Chen and salutes him upon the
many successes and achievements of his administration.
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome President Chen
Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States, and to wish him a pleasant
visit to New York City at the end of this month. I am pleased that he
will have an opportunity to visit with many Members of this Congress,
and I am confident that his visit will be productive for our two
countries.
During this time of uncertainty and regional instability in many
areas around the world Americans appreciate President Chen's continued
efforts and dedication to winning the war on terror, his pledge to
provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq, and his
support for the United States as President Bush and regional leaders
work to diffuse tension on the Korean peninsula.
Taiwan has been a reliable friend of the United States for many
decades, and I hope that his visit will provide an occasion for our two
nations to further strengthen our positive and mutually beneficial
relationship.
I also want to assure President Chen and the people of Taiwan that
they have many friends in the United States, and to reiterate America's
support and commitment to the security of Taiwan embodied by the Taiwan
Relations Act, and President Bush's statement last spring that, ``Our
nation will help Taiwan defend itself,'' should that need ever arise. I
also want to again state my unequivocal support for Taiwan's
participation in international organizations like the World Health
Organization and the United Nations.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud President Chen's insistence on pursuing a
higher standard of human rights for people in Taiwan and across the
globe, his commitment to individual liberty and democracy, and would
like to again thank him for the stabilizing influence that his
democratically elected government brings to the entire region.
I welcome President Chen to America, and I hope that many of my
colleagues have the chance--as I have--to meet and visit with him when
he arrives later this month.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of our time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 302.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

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