[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian will be 
staying for two nights in Miami en route to Central America; on his way 
back to Taiwan he will be staying overnight in San Francisco. During 
the last five years as president of Taiwan, Chen has gone on several 
state visits including trips to some of Taiwan's diplomatic allies. 
Last April President Chen visited the Vatican City to pay final 
respects to the late Pope John Paul II. I hope President Chen's 
stopovers in America this September will be both restful and useful to 
the exchange of ideas between himself and some of his American friends 
and supporters.
  As a friend of the Taiwanese people, I believe that Taiwan has been 
unjustifiably denied its proper recognition in the international 
community. Taiwan is a sovereign state; it is a constructive global 
citizen and a dynamic democracy. Yet it is not a member of the United 
Nations. As the United Nations celebrates its 60th anniversary this 
year, it is time for the UN General Assembly to re-examine the issue of 
Taiwan's membership. I therefore urge my colleagues, friends and 
supporters of Taiwan to speak up on the issue of Taiwan's bid to join 
the UN. The world must not allow China, an authoritarian state, to 
continue to deny Taiwan UN membership.
  As for Taiwan's relations with the United States, Taiwan enjoys the 
support of both the Bush Administration and Congress. U.S. presidents 
have all committed the United States to the Taiwan Relations Act and 
pledged support for Taiwan if it were to be attacked by China. Congress 
has also passed legislation voicing its support of Taiwan. In the mean 
time, the United States has continued to sell military articles to 
Taiwan in accordance with Taiwan's defense needs. In addition, we 
appreciate our strong trade relations with Taiwan. This September a 
Taiwan agricultural goodwill mission is touring the United States, 
pledging to buy up to more than $3.1 billion of U.S. wheat, soybeans, 
corn and hide in 2006 and 2007. A letter of intent signing ceremony 
between members of the Taiwan mission and U.S. grain exporters was held 
on September 14 on the Hill.
  Trade relations aside, the Taiwanese people have been standing firmly 
behind the United States after 9/11. Their government has made every 
effort to protect U.S. interests in Taiwan and cooperated with our 
intelligence agencies. It made monetary contributions to the Twin 
Towers Fund, the Pentagon Memorial Fund and most recently gave $2 
million to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Other signs of friendship 
include Taiwanese people sending their brightest students to study at 
our colleges and universities and a great majority of their tourists 
choosing to spend their dollars in American destinations.
  As President Chen passes through America this September, we'd like 
him and his people to know that we greatly appreciate his country and 
have great fondness for his people and their friendship for us.

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