Celebrating Taiwan's National Day-October 10

CELEBRATING TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY-OCTOBER 10 -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 06, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. DANNY K. DAVIS
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2004

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as the Republic of China (Taiwan) gets ready to celebrate its National Day this October 10, I join my colleagues in sending my best wishes and congratulations to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and the Taiwanese people on this happy occasion.

In recent years Taiwan has continued to press forward with democratic reforms and economic development. We wish Taiwan continued success as a democracy and economic power and an early return to the World Health Organization.
The United States maintains a strong relationship with Taiwan. We appreciate Taiwan's continuing commitment to combating global terrorism and we are committed to help Taiwan find peaceful solutions to any and all external challenges it may face. I am sure that this strong relationship with Taiwan will grow and flourish in the years to come.

I commend President Chen Shui-bian for his commitment to a policy of mutual respect and dialog with China. I share his view that such a stance is the only reliable foundation for long-term peace and stability for the people and later generations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We all hope that peace and stability will forever prevail in the Taiwan Strait.

Greetings and congratulations, President Chen, to the people of Taiwan on your National Day.