Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, our children are the hope of our world. ``Los ninos son la esperanza del mundo,'' said Jose Marti, the Cuban freedom fighter; and from humble beginnings that helped to form their character, they become tomorrow's leaders.

Amigos for Kids, a most worthy nonprofit organization in my hometown of Miami, Florida, is helping our precious youth to realize their true potential, a potential that may never have been uncovered without the intervention of such esteemed individuals such as Jorge Plasencia, a dear friend of mine and cofounder of the organization.

Jorge is an outstanding member of our south Florida community and founded Amigos in response to the diverse needs of the abused, neglected, and less fortunate children and their families. Throughout his 13-year history, Amigos has come to the aid of many of the children through education, prevention and community involvement. Jorge's hard work with Amigos is a testament to his strength and unwavering commitment to our cherished children.

Muchisimas Gracias, Jorge. Thank you so much for your help to our south Florida's children.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4061) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Childrens Act of 2004. This is an important bipartisan bill introduced by my good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and cosponsored by me as well as 84 other Members.

H.R. 4061 amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to create a new title, authorizing the provision of assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries.

H.R. 4061 will prepare USAID for the important responsibility as established by Public Law 108-25, the United States leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, which specifies that by the year 2006, not less than 10 percent of all HIV/AIDS monies must be programmed in support of the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS.

By the year 2010, Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that there will be 25 million children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. Entire villages are already being affected by this pandemic. This bill recognizes that the United States Government will need to establish improved capacity to deliver assistance to such orphans and vulnerable children through partnerships with private voluntary organizations, including faith- based organizations.

H.R. 4061 will authorize the President to provide assistance for the care and the treatment of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. It encourages the use of community care councils, of responsible citizens to identify the needs of and assist orphans in their communities instead of sending them off to orphanages or institutions.

As the number of orphans increases, the ability of communities to provide basic care for their children is limited. Assistance to support the provisions of basic care by communities is necessary, in addition to the assistance furnished directly by U.S. agencies through the President's initiative on AIDS and Public Law 108-25.

This bill also encourages the use of assistance to eliminate school fees in developing countries. This practice results in keeping orphans and vulnerable children out of school. Children of all circumstances should be in school and not kept out if they are affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS.

This legislation establishes greater accountability within USAID by establishing an Office for Orphans and Vulnerable Children that will have oversight of all programs for such children, not just AIDS orphans. It will enable USAID to adopt a more comprehensive approach to assisting children through the work of its field missions and through centrally managed activities.

In summary, H.R. 4061 creates accountable mechanisms within USAID. It will also ensure that other U.S. assistance for orphaned and vulnerable children is accountable, measurable and coordinated. H.R. 4061 promotes accountability and effectiveness of existing United States foreign assistance.

I seek Members' support for this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for this wonderful bill; we look forward to its passage; and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a truly remarkable member of the Florida community, Dr. Manuel Cereijo. A proven leader in the fields of science, engineering, education and technology, Dr. Cereijo was previously acknowledged in 1991 for his Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement committee and his exceptional dedication to the advancement of his profession and students.

Dr. Cereijo currently serves as President of the Professional Advancement Corporation and Lecturer of Engineering at the University of Miami, while simultaneously presiding as member of the Board of Directors on several prominent business, research, and engineering organizations in the Miami area.

Dr. Cejeiro has furthermore received several reputable awards such as the Faculty Teaching Award at Florida International University in 1999 and his induction into the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Hispanic Engineers in 1998.

Dr. Manuel Cereijo consistently employs his expertise through means beneficial to his colleagues and students and is an outstanding representative of the state of Florida. It is my honor to recognize him and thank Dr. Cereijo for his incredible service and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, we are honored to be here today to bid farewell to a great statesmen and friend, Ambassador C. J. (Chinn-Jen) Chen. The Taiwanese government has much to be proud of from the Ambassador's long career of selfless service to his country. He is a distinguished diplomat who has served Taiwan's foreign service for thirty-seven years, and in many ways served all of us, and the world. Ambassador Chen has spent much of his career strengthening the close and friendly ties between Taiwan and the United States.

He first came to Washington, D.C. in 1971 as a Third Secretary assigned to the Republic of China Embassy in the United States where he served through 1979. By then, he had been promoted to First Secretary, and from that position, he was able to play an important role in the formulation of a new framework for improved relations between the people's of Taiwan and the United States.

During the 1980's and 1990's, as the Ambassador earned a series of promotions to posts of greater and greater responsibility--both in Taipei and in Washington--he continued to serve as an effective bridge from bringing Taiwan and the United States closer together. As Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister and then Foreign Minister, he insured that his country's foreign policy reflected that tremendous economic progress and democratic development taking place on Taiwan. And, by emphasizing the common values and joint interests that the United States and Taiwan share, Ambassador Chen has fostered mutual trust and cooperation between successive administrations: from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush in the United States; and from Chiang Ching-kou to Chen Shui-bian in Taiwan.

Over the last four years, the Ambassador has, in his capacity as Taiwan's chief representative in the United States, endeavored to further enhance the military, political, cultural and economic aspects of our bilateral relationship. Apart from his personal friendships with a number of high-ranking administration officials, he has built quite a following in Congress. He strongly encouraged and supported the establishment of the House Taiwan Caucus and the Senate Taiwan Caucus. Working

closely with us, he has earned our respect and affection.

Most importantly, thanks to diplomats like Ambassador Chen, Taiwan and the United States are truly friends and our relationship is stronger now than at any other time. Having visited Taiwan myself, I have seen how much the Ambassador's country has been able to benefit from better relations, and I'm sure that his work has made Taiwan a better place.

Mr. Speaker, as Ambassador Chen concludes his tour of duty in Washington and his returning to Taipei, I bid him a fond farewell and wish him all the best. He has been a true friend, a man of principle and integrity, and we will surely miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the heroes who have so far given their lives in Iraq. Every generation of Americans has been asked to leave their farms and towns and cities so that freedom could be spread through the world. As a citizen of this great nation I am here to honor the sacrifice of the fallen in Iraq, and those who before them paid the ultimate price for freedom.

Like their forefathers in World War II, the 23 Floridians who gave their lives in the name of freedom were selfless citizens who answered the call of duty. Among these I would like to personally honor the 4 soldiers from South Florida. I and all of the citizens in my district are thankful for their service.

This nation can never repay the debt owed to these 4 men; their honor and service however, will never be forgotten. Private First Class Charles M. Sims was only 18 when he died in Baghdad on October 3, 2003, Sergeant Edmond L. Randle was 26 when he perished in the north of Taji on January 17, 2004, 1st Lieutenant Christopher J. Kenny was 32 when he fell in Balad on May 3, 2004, and Private First Class Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, who at 22 gave his life in Baghdad on April 29, 2004.

These men remind us that freedom is indeed not free. We must forever be vigilant to the rise of tyranny and be willing to fight it wherever it rises. We must never take for granted our democratic government, we must remember that in places like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran, human beings are still oppressed by their horrible dictators. Let us fight these regimes, until freedom rings in every nation of the world.

God bless all the men and women who gave their lives so that others may live in freedom.

Mr. Speaker, it is a real pleasure to welcome a special guest to our House from Miami, Florida, who shared her message of prayer and inspiration with us today, Rabbi Joui Hessel. We are happy to have the Rabbi and her wonderful family, who reside in my congressional district in Miami, Florida, with us here today.

Rabbi Hessel was ordained from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2001. While in Rabbinical School in New York, she served several congregations and also served as the Education Intern at Leo Bacck Temple in Los Angeles, California.

Rabbi Hessel is currently serving at the Washington Hebrew Congregation right here in Washington, D.C., as associate Rabbi. She has been in that capacity since June of 2001 and is active in many programs, including youth activities and adult education. The Rabbi is currently working on an educational article for a book on Parenting Young Adult Children.

Thank you, Rabbi Joui Hessel, for your spiritual leadership and for your prayers and for having such wonderful parents, who are my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Agustin Velasco, a valued Member of our South Florida community. Agustin's contribution to our community dates back over 4 decades, serving as a leader, entrepreneur, and an example of determination to succeed.

Agustin is currently the president and original founder of the Inter- American Bank, a bank with humble beginnings, now proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary of service to the people of South Florida.

After fleeing Communist Cuba in 1961, Agustin sought refuge in Miami and quickly became a dynamic and flourishing member of our community. Joining the ranks of thousands of very hard-working Americans, Agustin became the realization of the American dream.

A father of two and a grandfather of five beautiful girls, I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Agustin Velasco and wishing him continued success.

Felicidades, Agustin.

Mr. Speaker, 102 years ago, Cuba achieved its hard- fought independence from the tyranny of Spanish imperialism. This moment of triumph and relief ushered in a new era of freedom, a republican age. The ideals of self-government had trumped despotic rule, and all were captivated by the promise of enduring liberty. May 20, 1902 immediately assumed a profound significance for the Cuban nation, melding a fierce

passion for independence with a zeal for democracy. Indeed, May 20, paralleling America's own 4th of July, celebrates the same democratic fervor that Americans fondly recall whenever we reflect on our own sorely won freedom.

Unfortunately, the promise of a lasting and viable democracy would never be fully realized in Cuba. As we know all too well, the veil of ``freedom'' Fidel Castro promised with his Revolution soon descended into one of the worst tyrannies in modern history. July 26, a date sanctified by Castro as a symbol of his own political triumph, replaced May 20 as the new national holiday, wiping away all memories of democratic hope.

The Cuban people watched in stunned silence as they witnessed the dismantling of their republic and the institution of Marxist-Leninist totalitarianism. Soon the Soviet juggernaut had extended its iron fist across the ocean, marking the dawn of crushing religious, political, and artistic repression and the emergence of a culture of fear, theft, stagnation, and moral bankruptcy. After suffering countless state- sanctioned crimes throughout the decades, the indomitable will and courage of the Cuban people keep the hope of freedom and democratic change alive as an achievable goal.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly serve the cause of democracy as a United States Congresswoman, and continue the fight against the Castro regime and the oppression of the Cuban people. Ever cognizant of Cuba's plight, I feel compelled to call this oppression to your attention this day, May 20, 2004, a day representing freedom, and reminding us all of the tyranny that has usurped freedom.

Mr. Speaker, this 20th of May, liberty has once again eluded the Cuban people. Yet, I know that soon May 20th will once again stand as an affirmation of Cuban democracy, as a new birth of freedom, as a celebration of victory over dictatorship. Positive change will no doubt come, and we work toward it every day. I unite my thoughts and prayers with the Cuban people, and ask them to believe: a true 20th of May celebration is on the horizon--Cuba will once again be free.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to send my best wishes and warm congratulations to the people of Taiwan for having successfully concluded their most recent presidential election.

As the people of Taiwan prepare to inaugurate their incumbent President, Mr. Chen Shui-bian, I salute them and the democratic endeavor that we have recently witnessed.

In the last 4 years, under the leadership of President Chen Shui- bian, Taiwan has continued to prosper.

It has one of the strongest economies in the world and its people enjoy unprecedented prosperity. Taiwan has solid schools, a good transportation system, and sound medical care for its citizens. Furthermore, the people of Taiwan enjoy political freedoms, such as direct elections, a free press, and human rights.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Taiwan have every right to be proud of their presidential election.

I look forward to working with Mr. Chen's new administrative team in the next 4 years and beyond. Taiwan and the United States are truly friends and this relationship is stronger now than at any other time.

Americans and the people of Taiwan are also allies in the war on terrorism. Moreover, we share an abiding concern about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's participation in world organizations, such as the World Health Organization.

Congratulations again to the people of Taiwan and President Chen Shui-bian.

Mr. Speaker, Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin is a name synonymous with compassion, love, and energy.

As the President of Barry University for the past 23 years in my hometown of Miami, Sister Jeanne has brought hope not only to our South Florida community but also to the international community. Sister Jeanne is known and loved by all of our South Florida residents. She is a dynamic and energetic champion for education and has worked tirelessly to ensure that Barry University far exceeded its goals. She has dedicated her entire life to education and to the improvement of the human condition. Sister Jeanne's concern for others and her willingness to fight for justice makes her an irreplaceable part of our South Florida family.

We have been blessed to have Sister Jeanne in our community. We love her,

we thank her, and we wish her much success and happiness in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by commending Congresswoman Millender-McDonald for introducing this bipartisan bill. H. Con. Res. 352 recognizes the contributions of people of Indian origin to the United States and the benefits of working together with India towards promoting peace, prosperity, and freedom among all countries of the world.

As the world's 2nd most populous nation and the largest democracy in the world, India and the United States have forged a long-lasting friendship. For the past month, peoples from all over the country of India went to the polls and marked their choice for Parliament. This act of citizenship shows India's neighbors, and nations across the world, that democracy works. Reports indicate that over 50 percent of the population voted in this year's elections.

India shows us that the commitment to democracy is strong and that the ties between India and the United States are even stronger. The everlasting bond that is forged by the 1.7 million Indian-Americans living in the United States is a shinning example of our commitment to one another. Indian-Americans lead thriving lives in communities throughout the U.S.--the contributions to our society demonstrate the resilience and fervor of the Indian-American spirit. It is that spirit that holds the future between our two nations together.

Mr. Speaker, following the September 11th cowardly and evil terrorist attacks on the United States, Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee offered to cooperate with the Bush Administration ``in the investigation of this crime and to strengthen our partnership.'' The following day, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security voted unanimously to offer the United States the use of Indian facilities for any U.S. military operation in pursuit of the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks.

Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld states that, ``the United States and India share important interests in fighting terrorism. . . .''

In the past two years, the United States and India have held numerous joint exercises involving all military branches. Last September U.S. and Indian special forces soldiers held a two-week joint exercise in Ladakh near the India-China border, and the largest-ever ``Malabar 2003'' joint naval exercises off the southern coast of India that included an American nuclear submarine.

In the 2002 report of the National Security Strategy of the United States, the White House made the following statement: ``The United States has undertaken a transformation in this bilateral relationship with India based on a conviction that U.S. interests require a strong relationship with India. We are the two largest democracies, committed to political freedom protected by representative government. India is moving towards greater economic freedom as well. We have a common interest in the free flow of commerce, including through the vital sea- lanes of the Indian Ocean. Finally, we share an interest in fighting terrorism and in creating a strategically stable Asia.'' I could not agree more.

Another great example of this fruitful bond is the fact that trade between India and the United States has shown a healthy growth in recent years. Last year, U.S. exports and imports from India totaled $5.0 billion and $13.1 billion, making India the 24th largest U.S. export market and the 18th largest supplier of U.S. imports. With a GDP of $390 billion and an annual growth rate of 6.8 percent, India is not only an important ally in defense, but also a key ally in international trade. Bilateral trade now stands at around $15 billion, with software exports at another $3 billion--emphasizing the true relationship between our two countries.

As the world comes together and joins forces to help its people, I am positive that the strong ties between India and the United States will serve as an example of fruitful and positive bilateral relations.

Mr. Speaker, H. Con Res. 352 is truly fitting. I stand here and pay special recognition to the proud and resilient people of Indian origin in the United States. Their devotion and hard work have brought great prosperity to countless communities in the United States. I am proud to be cosponsor of this bill and proudly congratulate all peoples of Indian origin for their perseverance.

Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Vision Caucus, I would like to recognize May as Healthy Vision Month, and to discuss the important recommendations of the Vision Problems Action Plan, A National Public Health Strategy as a way to prevent blindness and vision loss.

Good vision is critical to conducting activities of daily living, is a portal for language, and affects developmental learning, communicating, working, and quality of life.

Unfortunately, a large number of people are at risk for losing their vision. More than 80 million Americans have a potentially blinding eye disease, 3 million have low vision, 1.1 million are legally blind, and an additional 200,000 are more severely visually impaired. Despite the fact that half of all blindness can be prevented, far too many people do not access the care they need. If we do not take action, the number of blind and visually impaired individuals will double by 2030.

Awareness, early diagnosis and prevention are crucial for all. Healthy Vision Month, a component of Healthy People 2010, is a national eye health campaign to raise awareness about the various conditions that can affect eyesight and cause vision loss.

This week, a coalition of leading eye health experts, including Prevent Blindness America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lighthouse International, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, released the Vision Problems Action Plan, A National Public Health Strategy. This important document will provide our nation with a framework for preventing vision loss.

This groundbreaking study recommends that, in order to reduce the occurrence of vision loss and its accompanying disabilities, our nation must concentrate our efforts three priority areas: prevention/public health, access to care and treatment including rehabilitation, and research.

Our public health and prevention campaign must ensure that vision programs at the National Eye Institute (NEI) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have the resources they need to improve communication and education campaigns, increase surveillance, epidemiology and prevention research; and implement appropriate programs, policies and systems changes.

In order to ensure access to and availability of treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals with vision loss, we must support programs at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that remove barriers and improve access to eye exams currently covered under Medicare, such as diabetic eye exams and glaucoma detection for high risk populations.

We must also strengthen the Medicare program to advance coverage for Medicare vision rehabilitation services as provided by orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers and low-vision therapists including in patients homes and their environment.

Finally, we must bolster our research efforts to improve our understanding of the eye and visual system in health and disease, as well as developing the most appropriate and effective means of prevention, and access to treatment and rehabilitation.

This report provides the roadmap we need to raise awareness about vision loss, give individuals the tools they need to prevent it, and give hope to the millions already suffering from vision loss that better treatments for can be found.

We would like to thank all of the organizations involved in drafting this report, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Lighthouse International, the National Alliance For Eye and Vision Research, the National Eye Institute (NEI) and most importantly, Prevent Blindness America. Prevent Blindness America should be commended for spearheading this effort, for bringing together these various groups, and for its almost century-long tradition of preventing vision loss.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I congratulate the gentleman from Massachusetts for this very important resolution that, as has been pointed out, does several things. It recognizes the importance of increasing awareness of this affliction, autism. It supports programs for increased research and improved treatment of autism. It improves training and support for individuals with autism.

But one of the causes that I believe is one of the most important ones is that it recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of children with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special needs of children with autism and for absorbing significant financial costs for specialized education and support services.

As has been pointed out before, each one of us could probably be here on the floor with a personal story about how we know someone who has autism, a family that has been affected by this disease, this affliction; and I am no exception to that. My best friends, Charles Flick and Patience Plumer Flick, have three children, two of whom have autism. Bonnie, a teenager, is able to communicate both verbally and in written form. She is able to do

simple arithmetic. She is probably in the higher level of high- functioning autism disorder. However, her young brother, Willis, is not able to communicate, is not aware of his surroundings, makes no connection to those around him in a very direct way, nor is he able to communicate in any way, shape or form except for grunts and pointing at simple pictures.

It has been a great experience for the family, a great challenge, to have them deal with the special needs of these two children. It presents a special challenge as well to their oldest child, Penny Flick, who is a graduating senior from high school this year.

Autism affects not just the children, those individuals with autism; it affects and it impacts the entire family. It has been a blessing, I believe, for the Flick family to have children with autism because it has made them more aware of God's many blessings upon them and makes them cherish life all the more. I think that this clause in this resolution of the gentleman from Massachusetts is very poignant because it recognizes and commends the parents and the relatives of children with autism because they deserve a very special place in our society and in our community. Caregivers of people with special needs so often do not go noticed and are not given the attention that they deserve. It takes a special heart and a special family to cope with the daily challenges that autism gives to the families.

I commend the gentleman from Massachusetts for this resolution, and I congratulate the Flick family and everyone involved with Bonnie and Willis for their great care.

I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, as a political refugee from a brutal, sadistic regime, I know of the terrible crimes that dictators commit against their own people. Yet after talking to survivors of Saddam Hussein's regime and speaking with the teams who uncovered Iraq's mass graves, I was left speechless in the face of such atrocities. The Iraqi dictatorship indiscriminately slaughtered Iraqis but the women were among the most vulnerable. The notorious Fedayeen beheaded women in public, dumping their severed heads at their families' doorsteps. According to the September 2001 report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur, at least 130 Iraqi women were beheaded between June 2000 and April 2001, in just 1 year. The regime used widespread rape to extract confessions from detainees and would intimidate members of the opposition by sending them videotapes of the rapes of their female relatives. At times, family members were forced to watch those tapes.

However, Saddam Hussein's legacy of terror knew no boundaries. Even small children were not spared the butchery as evident from the tiny skeletons found in mass graves throughout Iraq. In 1998, the evidence of the Iraqi regime's threatening behavior continued to mount and we as Members of the United States Congress in a unified manner overwhelmingly approved the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, calling for the regime of Saddam Hussein to be removed from power and replaced with a democratic government. By 2003 after 6 more years of Saddam's oppression, the death toll had reached frightening proportions. The U.S. could not watch idly and do nothing. As a Nation which stands for freedom, democracy and human rights, we were compelled to act. Today as a result of the President's resolve in Iraq and the courageous dedicated service of our troops, the Iraqi people are free.

As Iraq's new female minister of Municipalities and Public Works said last week to us: ``On April 9, 2003, Iraqis were offered the opportunity to begin to dream their future.'' To determine if going to war in Iraq and liberating the Iraqi people was the right decision, just ask Dr. Khuzai, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council and National Council on Women. After being prisoners in their own country for 35 years, she told us: ``For the Iraqi women, the morale is so high that you can't understand it unless you go and see. All the Iraqis are very grateful to Mr. Bush and to the U.S. for liberating us from the dictatorship regime. We will be grateful forever.''

Today, the United States is helping Iraqi women reintegrate themselves into Iraqi society and, indeed, the outside world. Toward this end, the administration has embarked on the Iraqi Women's Democracy Initiative to train Iraqi women in the skills and practices of democratic public life. It has also established the U.S.-Iraqi Women's Network, helping to mobilize the private sector.

This is just the beginning. We will have a better, safer world for the Iraqi people, especially for the Iraqi women, and for all.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of freedom, liberty and the power of charting one's own future. I rise in support of all peoples around the world who continue to struggle for self- determination and rejoice in democratic choice.

The citizens of the Republic of China on Taiwan share these values and hope for a bright future where the evils and terror of Communism are vanished.

Our relationship with the island of Taiwan has been a solid one, of true understanding and of support for democratic values.

President Bush has publicly stated that the United States will do ``whatever it takes'' to help Taiwan's defense--an unprecedented statement which no prior U.S. President has made.

As the people of Taiwan prepare to cast their ballots on numerous issues dealing with their future and their democratically elected government, I stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, with the men and women who understand the democratic process and truly believe in it.

This prosperous island, only a few miles from the coast of an oppressive regime, continues to show the world that the ignorance of communism drowns the bliss of the imagination.

Having visited Taiwan myself, I send my heartfelt congratulations to the people who exercise and demonstrate democracy at its best--the opportunity for an individual to cast their opinion in the form of a vote.