[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON ITS NATIONAL 
                                  DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 9, 2002

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President Chen 
Shui-bian, Vice President Annette Lu, and the People of Taiwan on 
Taiwan's National Day. Since escaping the clutches of Communist China 
in 1949, the people of Taiwan have made great strides economically, 
politically, and socially. Taiwan has become a bastion of democracy and 
an economic power in East Asia. They have made this progress because 
they have committed themselves to building the institutions that are so 
important to democracy and the preservation of freedom. They have also 
liberalized their economy, conformed to the standards of international 
business, and earlier this year, gained acceptance into the World Trade 
Organization. They should be commended for proving to the world that 
democracy, free market economics, and hard work are the keys to success 
in today's world.
  But Mr. Speaker, we should not recognize Taiwan's achievements 
without also thanking them for their partnership in containing China's 
expansionist tendencies. For over fifty years the Taiwanese have stared 
down China's threats of invasion and annexation, choosing instead to 
build a modern, free society and, most importantly, choosing to be our 
friend. They have played a key role in containing the specter of 
Communism in East Asia. We should never forget that. I am pleased to 
have this opportunity to recognize Taiwan on their day of national 
celebration and I congratulate them on all they have achieved.

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