[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2207]]


                   IN HONOR OF MADAME CHIANG KAI-SHEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. HYDE.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the recent 
passing of the former First Lady of China and Taiwan, Madame Chiang 
Kai-shek, also known to history as Soong Mei-ling. Madame Chiang was a 
steadfast ally of the United States and an old friend of the Congress.
  Madame Chiang came from an illustrious family whose members played 
prominent roles in the history of 20th century China. One of her 
sisters married Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of modern China, while 
Madame Chiang herself wed a rising young military officer named Chiang 
Kai-shek.
  She was one of the last living links to our alliance with China 
during World War II, in which she played a central role as adviser to 
her husband, President Chiang Kai-shek. Her death at age 106 represents 
the passing of an era.
  Madame Chiang's ties to the United States were strong and long-
standing. She was educated at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and at 
Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she graduated with honors in 
1917, attending college at a time when most American women, not to 
mention Chinese women, had little opportunity to pursue higher 
education.
  Her bicultural and bilingual skills allowed Madame Chiang to serve as 
a cultural bridge between East and West. She entered the American 
consciousness in the dark days of 1943 when the Chinese government, 
fighting for its life against the Japanese invaders, sent her on a 
goodwill mission to the United States. Madame Chiang crisscrossed the 
nation, and in eloquent speeches delivered in flawless English, she won 
the hearts of millions of Americans and graced the cover of Time 
Magazine. Her efforts culminated here on Capitol Hill where she became 
the first Asian woman to address a joint session of the Congress. Her 
appearance was instrumental in securing billions of dollars in military 
aid by the United States to China, thereby enabling a free Chinese 
government to survive and continue to fight. Madame Chiang returned to 
Capitol Hill a half century later when, in 1995, she was invited to 
assist with commemorative events marking the fiftieth anniversary of 
the end of World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to note that, in addition to her death 
being mourned here and in Taiwan, even Madame Chiang's former opponents 
in Beijing offered kind words for her upon her passing. The Chairman of 
the Chinese People's Political Consultive Conference offered ``deep 
condolences'' to the family of Madame Chiang. The Chairman paid tribute 
to her by noting that she had ``been dedicated to the Chinese people's 
war of resistance'' during World War II. The People's Daily noted that 
``she walked with China through turbulent times.''
  Today, we remember Madame Chiang fondly as an old friend who devoted 
herself to understanding, friendship, and cooperation between the 
peoples of the United States and China. She leaves a lasting legacy, 
and we are greatly indebted to her for her life's work.

                          ____________________