[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 100 (Monday, July 19, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DEPARTURE OF REPRESENTATIVE C.J. (CHIEN-JEN) CHEN

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, a good friend of the Senate Taiwan caucus, 
Ambassador C.J. (Chien-Jen) Chen, will soon be leaving Washington, 
D.C., after having served for nearly 4 years here as Taiwan's principle 
representative. We are going to miss him very much. As chairman of the 
Taiwan caucus, I would like to bring special attention to his 
accomplishments for his country and his commitment to the advancement 
of freedom.
  Ambassador Chen brought a wealth of experience to his job. He was 
first assigned to Washington, D.C. in 1971, and he spent most of his 
distinguished 37-year career promoting good relations between Taiwan 
and the United States. Over the years, he won many friends for himself 
and for his country. An eloquent speaker and polished diplomat, 
Ambassador Chen also has a reputation for being a ``straight shooter.'' 
He was always prepared to provide an informed, balanced, and fair 
opinion on the complex relationship between Taiwan and the United 
States as well as the broad range of political, economic, cultural and 
other issues of common interest to our two countries.
  Ambassador Chen's skill and determination as a representative of 
Taiwan have been made plain in many ways, but I want to mention one in 
particular. He has persistently pushed for Taiwan to have a role in 
international organizations. That is a real challenge, because Beijing 
opposes it at every turn, but Mr. Chen has pressed on. Owing in large 
part to his efforts, much progress has been made on these issues. 
During his most recent assignment in Washington, with U.S. support, 
Taiwan has acceded to the World Trade Organization and become our 
eighth largest trading partner. At the same time, Taiwan has also 
contributed greatly to U.S.-led international humanitarian efforts in 
places such as Afghanistan and Iraq, and it has cooperated with the 
United States in fighting proliferation, terrorism, and money 
laundering in Asia.

  All these matters required intensive communication and coordination, 
and we were lucky to have someone like C.J. Chen in place to lead the 
way. He understands that the people of Taiwan are as entitled to the 
blessings of liberty such as shared knowledge and the free exchange of 
information. Fighting for this freedom, he has had a special 
determination to secure Taiwan's entrance into the World Health 
Organization, an issue on which he and I have worked together. As the 
SARS virus swept Asia and frightened the entire globe, he seized the 
moral initiative to say the Taiwanese people are also vulnerable to 
this disease and that Taiwanese doctors also may heal. He clearly 
stated that they have a right to seek help and to give it, and that no 
petty, technical political agenda should stand in the way of that 
simple affirmation of humanity. When the doors to the WHO are thrown 
open for Taiwan, and they will be, people will remember with gratitude 
how C.J. Chen moved us toward that day.
  One of the most notable and likable things about C.J. is his 
inexhaustible optimism. While the United States-Taiwan relationship has 
certainly experienced its fair share of twists and turns, ups and 
downs--as Mr. Chen will surely attest--he has always remained 
consistently upbeat. His confidence is contagious, and I agree 
wholeheartedly with his observation, that Taiwan and the United 
States--united by shared values and common interests--will continue to 
work closely together, not only for their mutual benefit but also for 
the sake of lasting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.
  Now, after having served as his chief representative in the United 
States, as his country's foreign minister, as member of Taiwan's 
Legislative Yuan, and as a university professor, this man of 
extraordinary talent and vision is leaving Washington, DC. While he 
will be sorely missed, I am certain that he has established an 
admirable legacy of friendship, trust, and cooperation that will long 
endure.

                          ____________________