[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22038]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



CONGRATULATIONS TO THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN ON ITS NATIONAL DAY 
                             OF CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our colleagues in the 
United States Congress and our great Nation, I want to take this 
opportunity today to extend President Chen Shui-bian, Vice President 
Annette Lu, and the good people of Taiwan our deepest congratulations 
on their National Day of celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, President Chen and Vice President Lu are to be commended 
for their capable and skilled leadership of Taiwan, which is reflected 
by Taiwan's continuing stability, robustly democratic government, and 
prosperous economy--all of which are the envy of the Asia-Pacific 
nations at the dawn of the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, President Chen and Vice-President Lu are to be further 
commended for their efforts seeking greater international recognition 
of and substantive relations with the Taiwanese Government, including 
an increasing role and participation with the World Trading 
Organization and the United Nations. Quite simply, Mr. Speaker, Taiwan 
is too important an economic force and democratic ally to be relegated 
to the political backwaters of global isolation.
  I am further encouraged, Mr. Speaker, with President Chen's 
statesmanship and vision, as exemplified by his critical work in 
pursuing positive relations with the People's Republic of China. In 
recognition of that vital goal, President Chen has sought to engage on 
all levels the leaders of the People's Republic of China. Support of 
the Cross-Strait Dialogue with the PRC is crucial for resolving 
misunderstandings between Beijing and Taipei and Washington, which, Mr. 
Speaker, is the foundation for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait 
and, indeed, for all of Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of the United States and the good people of 
Taiwan share a deep, close and enduring friendship that has extended 
for over five decades. At this auspicious time of celebration for 
Taiwan's National Day, I join my colleagues in the United States 
Congress to salute and honor the 23 million citizens of Taiwan who have 
created and sustained one of the most vibrant, thriving and prosperous 
democracies in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Speaker, I join with all 
Americans who take pride in the tremendous accomplishments of our very 
close and dear friends in Taiwan.

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