[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9833]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TAIWAN CELEBRATES PRESIDENTIAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, a year ago, Mr. Chen Shui-bian, a former 
mayor of Taipei, captured the imagination of Taiwan voters and won 
Taiwan's presidency. Twelve months later, Mr. Chen has impressed the 
world with his leadership. At home, Chen has continued to push for 
greater democratic rights and accelerated economic reforms, especially 
banking reform. He has pledged to make his people and the world proud 
of Taiwan's human rights record and to do everything possible to 
stimulate Taiwan's domestic economy. In addition President Chen has 
announced on a number of occasions how he will try his best to conduct 
meaningful dialogues with Mainland Chinese leaders, hoping to achieve 
eventual reunification with the mainland.
  Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is an open, free and democratic country, home to 
over 93 political parties, and virtually every level of public office 
in Taiwan is vigorously contested through free and fair elections. Most 
important of all, Taiwan is our friend and one of our most important 
trading partners. We wish Taiwan well, and its President good luck and 
good fortune on the eve of his first anniversary in office. We welcome 
President Chen to the U.S. and wish him the best.

                          ____________________