*EPF409 09/26/2002
Senators Hail Visit of Taiwan's First Lady to the United States
(Cite Chen Wu Sue-jen's support for U.S. after September 11th) (430)

By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Senators praised Taiwan's First Lady Chen Wu Sue-jen September 25 as she was concluding a visit to the United States. She was scheduled to depart the United States September 26.

"I extend my warmest welcome to the First Lady of Taiwan, Chen Wu Sue-jen, wife of President Chen Shui-bian, who is in Washington this week to visit with some of her and her husband's many friends here," said Senator Jesse Helms (Republican of North Carolina), the ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I am among the many admirers of President Chen," Helms said, calling him "a courageous leader."

"The courage of his wife has earned for her great respect," Helms added. "In 1985, while supporting one of her husband's campaigns, Mrs. Chen Wu was hit by a vehicle that left her paralyzed from the waist down."

According to Helms, that episode was believed by many to have been politically motivated, and it left her permanently confined to a wheelchair.

"The following year when her husband was imprisoned by his political foes, Mrs. Chen Wu sought election on his behalf for a seat in the national legislature, Helms said. "She won and served in the legislature in spite of her serious injury," thus keeping Chen Shui-bian's "political cause in the public eye."

Chen Wu, he added, "provided indispensable encouragement and support" as Chen Shui-bian progressed from legislator to Taipei Mayor to President of Taiwan.

"First Lady Chen Wu Sue-jen was instrumental in building Taiwan's early, unequivocal and generous support for the United States and American people following the attacks on September 11, 2001," Helms said.

"She comes to the United States this week with a message of Taiwan's continuing strong support in the war against terrorism," Helms said. "I know that Senators will share my appreciation" for Taiwan's friendship and solidarity.

Senator Christopher Bond (Republican of Missouri) praised the Taiwanese First Lady as "a strong and effective advocate for Taiwan's physically challenged citizens."

Throughout all her trials, he added, "she has remained solid in her support for her family and the people of Taiwan. This strength of character has contributed much to the First Lady's greatness."

Bond said First Lady Chen Wu was bringing a message of "cooperation and support from the Taiwanese in our joint antiterrorism campaign."

Bond said Taiwan had demonstrated "charity and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001."

Senator Mary Landrieu (Democrat of Louisiana) described Taiwan's First Lady as a "unique and remarkable woman."

First Lady Chen Wu is Taiwan's youngest first lady, Landrieu said. "Men and women of all political parties admire her as a genuine person."

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents