[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10905]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TAIWAN CELEBRATES PRESIDENTIAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor 
President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China on Taiwan who 
celebrated his third anniversary in office on May 20th, 1999. President 
Lee has amassed a number of accomplishments throughout the last three 
years.
  Of all the contemporary leaders that the Republic of China has had, 
President Lee Teng-hui stands out due to his exceptional ability to 
guide his nation through the transition to a democratic republic. 
Furthermore, the effects of the severe financial crisis which have 
affected much of Asia have been much less severe in Taiwan. This 
discrepancy can be attributed to President Lee Teng-hui's ability to 
maintain a stable democratic environment which has allowed a solid 
foundation for its economy to grow. In addition, he has given his 
people hope and optimism in Taiwan's ability to confront the future.
  President Lee Teng-hui has also made great efforts in trying to reach 
out to his compatriots on the Chinese mainland. Unfortunately, his 
gestures of friendship have been answered with lukewarm responses at 
best from the PRC leadership. However, President Lee Teng-hui refuses 
to give up his hope of seeing a free and unified China in the future 
and continues to pursue a policy to that end. His persistence is a sign 
of his dedication to democracy and is greatly appreciated by the 
Western world, and in particular the United States.
  I wish President Lee Teng-hui every success in the future. He is a 
respected leader of a free, prosperous and democratic country and 
deserves no less than our full support.

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