[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11993]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      THE DEMOCRATIC PACIFIC UNION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on May 14, 2005, the 60th anniversary of the 
end of World War II, the Democratic Pacific Union was formally 
inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan. Notable guests at the ceremony included 
presidents of Taiwan, Costa Rica and Guatemala, as well as vice 
presidents of Taiwan, Nicaragua and Palau. The goals of the union are 
to integrate resources in the pan-Pacific region for joint development 
and regional cooperation and to promote democracy, peace and prosperity 
among DPU member democracies.
  Since May of 2005, the union has established a Secretariat, published 
its first quarterly, planned West Pacific regional meetings, formed a 
Pacific economic advisory group, and initiated the Pacific 
Congressional Caucus project. The project seeks to bring congressional 
and parliamentary members of DPU together to promote exchange and 
cooperation among lawmakers throughout DPU member countries. The Taiwan 
Chapter of the Pacific Congressional Caucus was inaugurated on May 20, 
2006 and convened by the Speaker of Taiwan's Legislature Yuan.
  The Taiwan Chapter of the Pacific Congressional Caucus will sponsor a 
symposium on congressional reforms this August 12-14 in Taipei, Taiwan. 
Legislative members of the DPU members states and U.S. Members of 
Congress are cordially invited to attend this symposium either as 
participants or observers. I hope that my colleagues will find time to 
attend this very important event in Taipei and lend our encouragement 
and support to the Pacific Congressional Caucus.
  I salute the Democratic Pacific Union, its goals, achievements, and 
initiations which included a training program on hazard mitigation on 
typhoon-related disasters held May 8-12, 2006 in Taiwan; a 2006 
fellowship and scholarship program providing funds for students from 
DPU member states to attend universities in Taiwan; invitation of 
distinguished women from member states to attend meetings in Taiwan to 
identify, and address problems women face in the Pacific region; 
invitation of political experts to observe elections in Taiwan; and 
establishment of the Pacific Center for Disaster Reduction in Taipei.

                          ____________________