[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E369-E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE CONTINUATION OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2004

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of freedom, 
liberty and the power of charting one's own future. I rise in support 
of all peoples around the world who continue to struggle for self-
determination and rejoice in democratic choice.

[[Page E370]]

  The citizens of the Republic of China on Taiwan share these values 
and hope for a bright future where the evils and terror of Communism 
are vanished.
  Our relationship with the island of Taiwan has been a solid one, of 
true understanding and of support for democratic values.
  President Bush has publicly stated that the United States will do 
``whatever it takes'' to help Taiwan's defense--an unprecedented 
statement which no prior U.S. President has made.
  As the people of Taiwan prepare to cast their ballots on numerous 
issues dealing with their future and their democratically elected 
government, I stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, with the men and women 
who understand the democratic process and truly believe in it.
  This prosperous island, only a few miles from the coast of an 
oppressive regime, continues to show the world that the ignorance of 
communism drowns the bliss of the imagination.
  Having visited Taiwan myself, I send my heartfelt congratulations to 
the people who exercise and demonstrate democracy at its best--the 
opportunity for an individual to cast their opinion in the form of a 
vote.

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