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TAIWANESE
AMERICAN HERITAGE WEEK
Mr.
FEINGOLD: Mr. President, this month I join Americans throughout
Wisconsin and across the nation in celebrating Taiwanese
American Heritage Week, honoring the many important contributions
to American society of the more than half a million Taiwanese
Americans in the United States. Without the contributions
of Taiwanese Americans, we would lack the important AIDS
research of Dr. David Ho. We would be denied the work of
Nobel Laureate chemist Dr. Lee Yuan-Tse and that of the
many American scientists he inspired. We would not be able
to search for information on the internet by using Yahoo,
co-founded by Jerry Yang. Thousands of Taiwanese Americans
throughout the country have made important achievements
in a wide range of sectors, including doctors, teachers,
lawyers, and computer technology experts. They have improved
the lives of their fellow American citizens, and they will
play an integral role in our future.
Besides
their many contributions here at home, Taiwanese Americans
have also played a vital role in the political transformation
of Taiwan. For many years, they organized letter-writing
campaigns, planned marches and demonstrations, and talked
to any U.S. policy-maker who would listen about their dreams
for Taiwan=s future as free and democratic. Many risked
arrest in -- or exile from -- their homeland as a result
of their activities. The tireless work of Taiwanese Americans
helped ensure the success of Taiwan=s democratic evolution,
beginning with the lifting of martial law in 1987 and culminating
with the first fully democratic presidential election in
1996. These are achievements that all Americans can celebrate.
I join Taiwanese Americans in congratulating the winners
of the March presidential elections in Taiwan.
Mr.
President, Taiwanese American Heritage Week recognizes the
long-standing friendship between the people of the United
States and Taiwan, and celebrates our shared values. I commend
the great accomplishments and contributions of the Taiwanese
American community.
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