[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DEMOCRATIC PACIFIC UNION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, on August 14, 2006, the 60th anniversary 
of the end of World War II, the Democratic Pacific Union was formally 
inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan. The ceremony drew 76 dignitaries from 23 
countries, including the presidents and vice presidents of Taiwan, 
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Palau.
  The Democratic Pacific Union's goal is to promote democracy and 
encourage cooperation among its 28 member democracies. So far, the 
Union has planned regular regional meetings in the East and the West 
Pacific regions, initiated the Pacific Economic Advisory Group and the 
Pacific Congressional Caucus, established a training program for 
typhoon and flood disaster reduction, offered scholarships for students 
to study in Taiwan, planned a Pacific university network in Taiwan, and 
invited women to Taiwan to discuss women issues in the Pacific region.
  On December 8-10, the Taiwan Chapter of the Pacific Congressional 
Caucus will be holding a special symposium in Taipei, Taiwan. The 
symposium will examine critical issues such as the legislature and 
democracy, the legislature and electoral process, and the legislature 
and campaign finance. Fifty or more legislators from DPU's member 
states will be invited. U.S. lawmakers are especially welcome to attend 
this symposium.
  We should give encouragement to the leaders of the Democratic Pacific 
Union by endorsing its goals for democratic and economic cooperation in 
the Pacific region. I am certain that the Union will attract more 
members and win even wider international attention and recognition in 
the months and years ahead.

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