[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20608]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   WELCOMING TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT CHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the president of Taiwan, Chen Shui-
bian, will be making a stop in Miami en route to Central America later 
this month. He will stop overnight in San Francisco on his return to 
Taiwan.
  I am sorry that he won't be stopping in Washington, DC. Many of my 
colleagues and I hope that in the future he and other Taiwanese leaders 
will be able to visit our capital.
  President Chen has been in office for more than 5 years. During his 
tenure as president, he has been able to unite Taiwan, stabilize cross-
strait relations, seek social harmony and reinvigorate the economy.
  To maintain cross-strait peace and stability, he reacted calmly to 
China's enactment of its provocative antisecession law last March.
  Under his presidency, Taiwan's global competitiveness increased and 
the nation now ranks as one of the world's top economies.
  On the international front, President Chen made several state visits 
to diplomatic allies. In April he went to the Vatican City to pay final 
respects to the late Pope John Paul II. During his brief stopovers in 
Miami and San Francisco this September, I hope my colleagues will take 
the time to visit with President Chen. President Chen is the leader of 
a young but prosperous democracy, and our mutual love of freedom can 
only be strengthened by these visits.
  Taiwan is one of America's most important allies. Taiwan is also our 
trading partner and friend. Whenever America has need, Taiwan is there. 
They have contributed to the Twin Towers Fund, the Pentagon Memorial 
Fund and most recently, Taiwan gave two million dollars to help victims 
of Hurricane Katrina.
  Mr. Speaker, we must also remember Taiwan's unique role in 
maintaining peace and stability in the Asian Pacific region. To have 
permanent peace in the region, the United States should urge Taiwan and 
China to resume peaceful dialogue and exchanges.
  We should also encourage Taiwan's participation in the World Health 
Organization and the United Nations. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy, and 
I hope the entire world will recognize its people's love of freedom.
  I hope all Members of Congress will join me in welcoming President 
Chen as he transits through the United States.

                          ____________________