For Immediate Release                                                         October 29, 2003

U.S. HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION WELCOMING PRESIDENT CHEN TO THE U.S.

In the evening of October 29, and two days prior to Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian's arrival in the United States, the House of Representatives passed resolution HCR302 welcoming President Chen to the United States who is scheduled to arrive in New York in the afternoon of October 31.

Majority Leader Tom DeLay, and Reps. Cliff Stearns, Steve Chabot, Robert Wexler, Sherrod Brown, Tom Lantos and Lincoln Diaz-Balart spoke in support of the bill during the Wednesday afternoon floor debate urging their colleagues to vote in favor of passage of the bill.

The resolution concludes: "[Congress] recognizes that the visit of Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to the United States is a significant step towards broadening and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan."

Ate the time of passage, the resolution enjoyed the co-sponsorship of 44 Members of the House of Representatives.

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: "Although Taiwanese Americans rejoice in welcoming President Chen to the United States, we can not help but be disappointed that President Chen is not allowed to visit the Nation's Capital. All this due to an outdated and unrealistic "U.S. One China Policy." We at FAPA will do whatever lies in our capability to make sure that President Chen will be able to come to Washington, D.C. during his next term as the President of the country of Taiwan."