[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PRESIDENT CHEN OF TAIWAN

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Chen Shui-bian, president of Taiwan, on his third 
anniversary in office. On March 18, 2000, Mr. Chen Shui-bian and Ms. 
Annette Lu were elected as the 10th-term president and vice president 
of the Republic of China.
  With their inauguration on May 20, 2000, the peaceful transfer of 
presidential power to another political party is a profound reminder to 
all of us that the democratic process is rapidly maturing in Taiwan. In 
fact, it is an outstanding example for developing democracies around 
the world, as well as in the Chinese mainland.
  Mr. Chen's story is one that is often heard in America, but it is an 
extraordinary one considering the political climate in Taiwan at the 
time he was born. He was born in 1950, but because he was a sickly 
child and not expected to live, his family did not officially register 
his birth until 1951. He was born to a tenant farmer family in rural 
Taiwan; but despite serious poverty, his family encouraged their son to 
pursue a brighter future. So important was education to him and his 
family that the family borrowed money to help pay for his schooling. He 
excelled academically all through grade school and finally into law 
school where he first developed his deep passion for true democracy in 
Taiwan.
  Now, in 1980, there was an incident. It was called the ``Kaohsiung 
Incident,'' and what happened is it resulted in the arrests of many 
activists after a mass demonstration turned violent with hundreds 
injured. Now, the defendants were sent for trial under martial law. The 
arrests and trials clearly articulated a need for changes in the 
government and focused world attention on the political situation in 
Taiwan.
  Mr. Chen used his legal skills to defend their right to protest an 
authoritarian government. For his service, he was imprisoned for 8 
months.
  President Chen has served as a Taipei city council member and, of 
course, as the mayor of Taipei and in the legislative Yuan. Now, all of 
these experiences helped him to govern Taiwan in a way in which I think 
will prioritize peace and security without relinquishing democratic 
principles.
  He has continuously expressed his good will to the Chinese mainland 
and opened the possibility of holding a dialogue and conducting 
cooperation, under the premise of maintaining Taiwan's sovereignty, its 
dignity and security.
  Taiwan and the United States have enjoyed a close relationship with 
each other for almost 50 years. It is a politically, economically, and 
culturally rich association for both. In fact, despite its size, Taiwan 
is our eighth largest trading partner, and we are Taiwan's largest 
trading partner. For this and other reasons, the United States must 
unabashedly stand behind the Taiwan Relations Act, which will 
communicate our resolve for a peaceful resolution in Taiwan.
  Taiwan also deserves our congratulations on the recent accession to 
the World Trade Organization, though that is only the first step. We 
must support Taiwan's movement to gain membership in the International 
Civil Aviation Organization and especially observer status in the World 
Health Organization. The recent outbreak of SARS is a good 
demonstration of what Secretary of State Colin Powell said recently: 
``Infectious disease knows no borders and requires an effective and 
coordinated response at local, national, and international levels.''
  Taiwan is a part of the world that has been impacted by SARS and 
needs to play its proper role in preventing the spread of the disease.
  For this reason, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Taiwan deserves active 
participation in the World Health Organization. We must lend Taiwan 
support of Taiwan's democracy at home in its campaign to join 
international organizations abroad.
  Taiwan is a reliable ally of the United States. Taiwan stood with us 
shoulder to shoulder right after 9-11 and has given us support with our 
war in Iraq and promised humanitarian aid to support postwar Iraq.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of meeting with President Chen and 
was impressed with his vision and commitment to the continual 
democratization of Taiwan. I want to congratulate him on his past 
accomplishments and wish him continued success.

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