Tom Tancredo: “I rise today to welcome President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States, and to wish him a pleasant visit to New…”

“I rise today to welcome President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan to the United States, and to wish him a pleasant visit to New York City at the end of this month. I am pleased that he will have an opportunity to visit with many Members of this Congress, and I am confident that his visit will be productive for our two countries. During this time of uncertainty and regional instability in many areas around the world Americans appreciate President Chen's continued efforts and dedication to winning the war on terror, his pledge to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq, and his support for the United States as President Bush and regional leaders work to diffuse tension on the Korean peninsula. Taiwan has been a reliable friend of the United States for many decades, and I hope that his visit will provide an occasion for our two nations to further strengthen our positive and mutually beneficial relationship. I also want to assure President Chen and the people of Taiwan that they have many friends in the United States, and to reiterate America's support and commitment to the security of Taiwan embodied by the Taiwan Relations Act, and President Bush's statement last spring that, "Our nation will help Taiwan defend itself," should that need ever arise. I also want to again state my unequivocal support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations.”