In Honor of Ambassador C.J. Chen

IN HONOR OF AMBASSADOR C.J. CHEN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 09, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. PETE SESSIONS
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2004

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I join my colleagues in honoring a unique man and a graceful diplomat.

Ambassador Chen is returning to Taiwan after four years of exemplary service as the representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative office, the quasi embassy of the Republic of China. In fact, since joining his country's foreign service 37 years ago, Ambassador Chen has always been involved with the U.S.-Taiwan relations in his many job assignments both in Taiwan and in the United States. His diplomatic career mirrors very much the ups and downs of U.S.-Taiwan relations.

The nadir of U.S.-Taiwan relations came in 1979 when the Carter Administration severed diplomatic ties with Taipei and recognized Beijing. C.J. Chen was then working in Taiwan's embassy in Washington. He spent days and nights negotiating and communicating with U.S. government officials and lawmakers in drafting the Taiwan Relations Act which became U.S. law on April 10, 1979. The TRA has enabled Taiwan to grow economically and politically in the last quarter of century.

In the subsequent years, in his many key roles in Taiwan's foreign ministry, C.J. made sure that the U.S. would play a role as balancer, stabilizer and facilitator in handling its relations with both Taiwan and the mainland. In addition, C.J. and other leaders in Taiwan have been successful in urging the U.S. to continue to provide Taiwan with the military sales necessary for Taiwan's self defense.

In the last 4 years, C.J., in his capacity as Taiwan's top diplomat in Washington, has further strengthened U.S.-Taiwan relations. U.S. confidence in Taiwan continues to rise and U.S.-Taiwan relations are now at its best since 1979. While there have been no major changes in the U.S. policy towards the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, U.S. tone towards Taiwan has markedly improved, since Taiwan is a democracy and democracies count for something.

In addition to the Bush administration's goodwill towards Taiwan, congressional support and friendship continues to grow, especially in the last 4 years. Since the inception of the 108th Congress, both the Senate and the House have introduced or passed a number of pro-Taiwan bills and resolutions such as Taiwan's participation in the WHO, a U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement, security in the Taiwan Strait, welcome for transits by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian etc. All these achievements are directly attributable to the efforts of Ambassador C.J. Chen.

Mr. Speaker, C.J. and his wife Yolanda will be missed in Washington. I wish C.J. and Yolanda all the best and hope they will keep in touch with their many friends in Washington.

END