DENNIS A. CARDOZA: “I rise today to welcome Taiwan's President, Chen Shui-bian as he travels through the United States later this month.…”

“I rise today to welcome Taiwan's President, Chen Shui-bian as he travels through the United States later this month. President Chen recently celebrated his third anniversary in office; a term of service which has been marked by Taiwan's strong support and friendship with the United States. During his time in office, President Chen has shown that he is a thoughtful, responsible leader, which has been evident in his handling of cross-strait relations with the People's Republic of China. President Chen has consistently stated that both sides of Taiwan Strait have an obligation to uphold the principles of 'goodwill reconciliation, active cooperation and permanent peace.' Regrettably, despite his many calls for dialogue and cooperation, the Chinese government has insisted on the dated 'one country, two systems' formula as the solution to the Taiwan issue. President Chen's has asserted that 'Taiwan is not a province of one country' but a sovereign nation. I strongly agree with his assertion and believe that President Chen is right to guide his country and his people toward a brighter, more prosperous future.”