[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20788-20789]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           WELCOMING PRESIDENT CHEN OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2005

  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in the state 
of Georgia, it is a privilege to welcome President Chen of the Republic 
of China to the United States. As you know, the United States has a 
rich history of personal liberty, democracy, and republican government. 
It has been over 26 years since Congress passed the Taiwan Relations 
Act recognizing our nation's friendship. It is my hope that all of 
China will one day live in a peaceful Democratic society, enjoying free 
enterprise and personal freedom.
  Our shared goals of democracy, increasing standards of living, 
peaceful association, and economic development are vital to the growth 
and security of our nations. The Republic of China is a strong example 
of the achievement of these goals. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan enjoys a 
democratic government that fully upholds human rights, where its 
citizens enjoy the freedom to assemble and practice their religion of 
choice. These attributes allow the Republic of China to benefit from 
the world's 14th largest economy and one of the world's highest 
standards of living.
  I personally cherish the close relationship between the Republic of 
China and the United States. Thousands of Taiwanese students study at 
U.S. colleges and universities while Taiwanese tourists choose the 
United States as their number one overseas destination outside of Asia. 
Moreover, Taiwanese consumers make the Republic of China one of our 
nation's closest trade allies.
  I would like to thank President Chen for the support and friendship 
of the Republic of China. I believe he deserves a great deal of

[[Page 20789]]

credit and thanks for his leadership in successfully maintaining the 
peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you 
will join me in once again welcoming President Chen to the United 
States as our nation looks forward to working with his administration 
to promote peace, explore new economic frontiers, and expand our 
friendship.

                          ____________________