[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         TAIWAN CONGRATULATIONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, 3 years ago President Lee won a 
landslide victory in the first presidential election in the history of 
China. As a democratic elected president, he demonstrated to the world 
that democracy could indeed thrive in Taiwan. During the last 3 years 
President Lee continued to implement his program for the Republic of 
China. As a result, Taiwan presently has free elections in every level 
of government, a free press, and holds respect for human rights in the 
highest regard.
  As a believer in increasing cooperation between Taiwan and mainland 
China, President Lee continued to emphasize that it is necessary for 
Taiwan and the mainland to work together to conduct further discussions 
on the issue of reunification. Many close to the president maintain 
that his one true dream is to witness a unified China under the 
principle of democracy rules, free enterprise and the distribution of 
wealth.
  A few years ago I had the privilege of being President Lee's guest on 
a visit to Taiwan. Since that time I perceive him as a world class 
statesman and hope that he will be able to influence mainland China to 
democratize and reunify with Taiwan on the basis of democratic 
principles. As a faithful friend of the United States, we must give him 
our wholehearted support as his presence on the island is symbolic of 
the economy and a politically stable Asia.

                          ____________________