[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 23764-23765] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN HONOR OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PACIFIC UNION (DPU) ______ HON. PETE SESSIONS of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the members of the Democratic Pacific Union. On the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II (August 14, 2005), the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) was formally inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan. The ceremony drew 76 dignitaries from 23 countries, including the presidents and vice presidents of Taiwan, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Palau. The Union's goal is to promote democracy and encourage contacts among its 28 member democracies. Taiwan Vice President Lu Hsiu-lien was elected Chair of the Union. [[Page 23765]] Since its inception, the Union has established a Secretariat and published its first quarterly, planned regular regional meetings in the East and the West Pacific regions, initiated the Pacific Economic Advisory Group and the Pacific Congressional Caucus, and additionally established a training program for typhoon and flood disaster reduction. The DPU has offered scholarships to students of member states to study in Taiwan, planned a Pacific university network in Taiwan, and invited distinguished women to come to Taiwan to discuss women's issues in the Pacific region. Other initiatives have been introduced to promote democratic values and prosperity among member states. There is little question that the Democratic Pacific Union has achieved a great deal during its short history. Its goals of promoting and spreading democracy are laudable and complement with our values. We should encourage the leaders of the Democratic Pacific Union by endorsing their goals and objectives as well as learning from them. I am certain that the Union will attract more members and win even greater international recognition in the months and years ahead. ____________________