[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TWIN OAKS ESTATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for our friends in Taiwan as they celebrate the 120th anniversary of 
the Twin Oaks estate here in Washington, DC.
  Twin Oaks estate was built in 1888 by Gardiner Greene Hubbard, the 
founder of the National Geographic Society. This beautiful home was 
built as a summer residence for his family. Mr. Hubbard had two 
daughters, Grace and Mabel. Mabel later lived at Twin Oaks with her 
husband, Alexander Graham Bell.
  Years later, Grace inherited the property. In 1937, she rented the 
property to the Republic of China's Government to serve as the 
ambassador's residence. A decade later, the Republic of China purchased 
the property and it served as the official residence of each successive 
Republic of China ambassador.
  After extensive renovation that brought it back to its original 
elegance in the early 1980s, Twin Oaks was recognized and named as a 
national historic site in Washington, DC. Over the past two decades 
many functions have been held at Twin Oaks and today the estate 
continues to stand proudly as a symbol of the strong friendship between 
the United States and Taiwan.
  Madam Speaker, the people of Taiwan live in a vibrant democracy and, 
as such, Taiwan has become a beacon of freedom and an engine of 
prosperity in the Pacific region. As we celebrate Twin Oaks' long and 
vibrant history, we are reminded of our strong ties, abiding mutual 
relations, and deep friendship with Taiwan.

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