[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President Chen 
Shui-bian of Taiwan for having narrowly won his reelection on March 20. 
He will be inaugurated as the eleventh president of the Republic of 
China this May 20th.
  As many of us know, Mr. Chen has a very interesting story. He came 
from a poor Taiwanese farming family. After his university days, he 
became an active political reformer and activist for many years and 
served time in prison for his beliefs. After gaining his release, he 
became a lawmaker and later as mayor of Taipei. He won his first 
presidential race in March 2000, the first time in Chinese society that 
an opposition party candidate was elected president. During his first 
term in office, he led his country toward full democratization and 
drastically improved Taiwan's human rights record. Today Taiwan's 
constitution guarantees its citizens basic civil liberties, including 
freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of speech and 
press, and freedom of religion.
  In the next four years, I am hopeful that Mr. Chen will continue 
Taiwan's political reforms and strive for better relations with China. 
Recently, Mr. Chen reiterated his determination to maintain peace and 
stability in the Taiwan Strait and good relations with the United 
States.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish Mr. Chen the best of luck in all areas. As a 
beacon of democracy, Taiwan richly deserves our friendship and support.

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