[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO TAIWAN PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                      FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN OFFICE

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                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Taiwan 
President Chen Shui-bian on the occasion of his First Anniversary in 
office. He was elected to a second presidential term last year.
  For more that 50 years, Taiwan and the United States have enjoyed a 
close relationship with each other economically and politically. Taiwan 
is our 8th largest trading partner and we are Taiwan's largest trading 
partner. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial 
relationship. Further, we are committed to the Taiwan Relations Act and 
believe in a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that in recent days, Taiwan's two 
major opposition leaders visited China and were well received by 
Chinese leaders. I am pleased to see that Taiwan President Chen has 
been deft in his handling of the current cross-strait relations. 
Continued peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in every nation's 
best interest.
  I join many of my colleagues in thanking Taiwan President Chen and 
his people for their total support of the United States, especially in 
the area of combating global terrorism. In the wake of 9/11, the 
government of Taiwan gave a million dollars to the Twin Towers Fund of 
New York. Two months ago, Taiwan gave another million dollars to the 
Pentagon Memorial Fund. To help fight terrorism, Taiwan has joined the 
United States and other international organizations through 
participation in anti-money laundering campaigns, the proliferation 
Security Initiative (PSI) and the Container Security Initiative (CSI). 
Taiwan Representative David Tawei Lee said it well, ``Only by standing 
together will we succeed in making the world a safer place.''
  Mr. Speaker, Taiwan Representative David Tawei Lee came to 
Washington, DC, last July, and since then he has made many friends on 
the Hill. We are very impressed with his intelligence and industry. 
Taiwan couldn't find a better diplomat than Dr. David Tawei Lee in 
representing Taiwan's interest in the United States.
  I wish to express my congratulations to the people of Taiwan on the 
occasion of their President's First Anniversary in office. I hope that 
high ranking officials from Taiwan, such as President of Taiwan, the 
Foreign Minister, and the Defense Minister will be able to come to 
Washington, DC, to communicate directly with members and administration 
officials on issues of mutual concern.

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