[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY, OCTOBER 10TH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend to the people of 
Taiwan my heartiest congratulations as we approach October 10 or 
National Day--the founding day of the Republic of China.
  Since Taiwan's government was originally founded on the Chinese 
mainland nearly one hundred years ago, the people and government of the 
republic have made great economic and political strides.
  Over the last several decades, Taiwan has been transformed from a 
one-party state, into a thriving global economic powerhouse, a generous 
and responsible member of the international community, and one of the 
most vibrant multi-party democracies in the Western Pacific.
  Madam Speaker, this year was an especially eventful year in Taiwan's 
democratic evolution as voters on the island went to the polls to elect 
a new president and vote on a nationwide referendum. The results saw 
Taiwan's voters overseeing the second peaceful transfer of power there 
since Taiwan's remarkable transition to democracy in the 1990's.
  The Taiwanese people deserve our respect and admiration for moving 
forward with this historic election--courageously going to the polls 
despite pressure and threats of violence from the Beijing authorities 
and their so-called ``anti-secession law.''
  Again, I rise to congratulate the Taiwanese people, and I hope that 
this important holiday will continue to inspire everyone on the island 
to continue working together to preserve a bright future for democratic 
Taiwan.

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