[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18981]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                  FIRST LADY OF TAIWAN CHEN WU-SUE-JEN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2002

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, last week we witnessed an historic event in 
the long-standing relationship between the United States and our ally 
Taiwan. On Wednesday, September 25, 2002, the First Lady of Taiwan Chen 
Wu-Sue-jen addressed a bipartisan gathering of Members of Congress to 
express her heartfelt support for U.S.-Taiwan relations and a common 
commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights. I have included a 
copy of the First Lady's speech to be entered into the Congressional 
Record.
  As a strong proponent our nations' unbreakable bond with Taiwan, I 
want to thank Madame Chen Wu for her statement in support of the 
American people and our war against international terror. All Americans 
greatly appreciate President and Mrs. Chen's heartfelt message of unity 
and solidarity with our nation in our greatest time of need. 
Additionally, I want to express my admiration for Mrs. Chen Wu, whose 
undeniable courage in the face of adversity has helped create a future 
filled with prosperity and hope for her people.
  As Co-chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I am hopeful that 
we can build on Madame Chen Wu's visit, which will only serve to 
enhance and strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations and cooperation.

                             Friends indeed

                      (By Madam Chen Wu, Sue-jen)

       Honorable Members of Congress, the best friends of Taiwan: 
     It is a most honorable and warm moment for me to be able to 
     come to the Capitol Hill, in the capacity as the First Lady 
     of Taiwan, to meet so many good friends in the U.S. Congress. 
     Standing here, I feel a strong sense of affinity and 
     goodwill.
       Although my husband cannot come with me on this trip, you 
     should know that after 27 years of marriage, what I say here 
     today should not be objectionable to him!
       What I mean is my husband cherishes my opinions. If he were 
     coming here to give a speech in person, he would certainly 
     consult me beforehand and put my ideas into his remarks.
       You might think that I am joking, but don't forget, when I 
     was elected a Legislator in 1986, President was my 
     legislative assistant, and I was his boss!
       The first thing I would like to say is that the friendship 
     between Taiwan and U.S. is very strong and everlasting. The 
     fact that I am here to see you in the Congress is a sure sign 
     of this. Indeed, in Taiwan there are countless government 
     officials, university professors, and high-tech professionals 
     who received higher education in the U.S. They brought home 
     not only advanced knowledge and skills, but also the American 
     values of democracy, freedom and human rights. Thus these 
     values stimulated not only our economic advancement, but also 
     our democratization.
       In 1979 this great democratic institution passed the Taiwan 
     Relations Act, which explicitly affirms that the U.S. will 
     help Taiwan defend itself and expresses the American concern 
     for Taiwan's commercial development and human rights. The Act 
     even states that "the preservation and enhancement of the 
     human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby 
     reaffirmed as objectives of the United States." Thanks to 
     such support, we are able to enjoy such remarkable political 
     and economic achievements today, and it is easy to understand 
     why the Taiwan people deeply appreciate the U.S. standing 
     here in the Congress, which represents all the American 
     people and their democratic system, I would like to say thank 
     you to all of you from the bottom of my heart.
       Through our political reforms over the past years, Taiwan 
     has become a democratic country that fully embraces the 
     values of freedom and human rights. As a result of the 2000 
     presidential election, Taiwan undertook the unprecedented 
     challenge of the first democratic transition of power in its 
     history. Now we are proud to say that Taiwan is a genuine, 
     consolidated democracy. This undeniable fact will enable 
     Taiwan to sail stably into the future on the sea of 
     democracy.
       Today you can hear all kinds of opinions in Taiwan, and 
     sometimes the controversies seem quite serious. However, if 
     you ask the Taiwan people whether they would like to go back 
     to the old days when the freedoms of speech and ideas were 
     deprived of, I don't think you will get a single positive 
     answer. Simply put, the concept of democracy and freedom 
     upheld by the Taiwan government today is: "Even though I 
     don't agree you, I swear to protect your freedom of speech."
       Out of that spirit, political leaders such as President 
     Chen and Vice President Lu, even though they previously 
     suffered as political prisoners, hold no grudges or hatred. 
     Likewise, some people might think that a person like me 
     confined to a wheelchair should be angry about the past. But, 
     on the contrary, we are all filled with joy at Taiwan's 
     democratic achievements. In fact, because of our opportunity 
     to help bring about Taiwan's democracy, the little sacrifice 
     we made became a reward in itself.
       Many political scientists wonder why Taiwan was able to 
     experience the democratic process more peacefully and 
     smoothly than many other countries in the "third wave" 
     democratization. I think the main reason is that the current 
     political leaders have the magnanimity to sow the seeds of 
     love in the place of hatred.
       People in Taiwan believe in the universal values of 
     freedom, democracy, and human rights. Taiwan's security is 
     more enhanced than before as a result of its progress in 
     democratization. It is also for the same reason that we have 
     so many good friends in the United States of America. And not 
     only here, but also in other democracies; for example, the 
     European Parliament recently passed a resolution expressing 
     strong support for Taiwan. The beautiful smile of democracy 
     is indeed the best protector of Taiwan's security. A basic 
     mission of Taiwan's democratic government is to handle cross-
     Strait issues with a responsible attitude as well as to 
     participate in international affairs in ever more positives 
     ways.
       A year ago, the American people suffered the terrible 
     attacks of September 11. The Taiwan people felt the same 
     shock and sadness. Since this tragedy, Taiwan has tried hard 
     to cooperate with the United States and the International 
     community to play an active role, for example through 
     exchanges of anti-terrorism intelligence and efforts to 
     counter money laundering. Taiwan's government has also 
     cooperated intensively with nongovernmental organizations to 
     provide humanitarian assistance to the innocent people of 
     Afghanistan, to cultivate love and hope in the devastated 
     Afghan mountains. We will continue to work with the 
     international community to help Afghanistan and enable the 
     Afghan people to put disaster behind them and rebuild their 
     sense of hope.
       On the anniversary of September 11, the Taiwanese people 
     continued to feel sorrow for the attacks. Two weeks ago, 
     President Chen called together all our top government 
     officials to review Taiwan's actions in combating terrorism. 
     He also delivered an anti-terrorism declaration reaffirming 
     his support to the American-led global coalition against 
     terrorism.
       Taiwan is a true friend of America. We stand with America 
     now and we will stand with America forever!
       Although my husband is not able to visit you this time, I 
     bring his greetings to you. It will be my pleasure to bring 
     your goodwill back to President Chen, to the government and 
     to the people of Taiwan.
       Thank you, my dear friends. Thank you!

       

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