The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States held a reception to celebrate "Double Tenth Day," the national day of the Republic of China (ROC) on the evening of October 9th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. More than 2,000 dignitaries attended the reception.
Guests included U.S. Senator Benjamin Nelson (D-NE), 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives such as Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Connie Morella (R-MD) and so on; Chairman of the Federal Election Commission Danny McDonald, acting managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan Barbara Schrage, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former undersecretary of state for political affairs Thomas Pickering; ambassadors of ROC's nine diplomatic allies; scholars of major think tanks; members of the international media, and of local Taiwan (Chinese)-American communities.
Other Senators and House Representatives, including Senator Robert Smith (R-NH), Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA), Earl F. Hilliard (D-AL), David Wu (D-OR), and J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), congratulated the ROC on its 91st birthday in statements on Capitol Hill and letters to ROC President Chen Shui-bian and Representative C. J. (Chien-jen) Chen, Taiwan's chief representative in the United States.
Senator Smith said October 8 on the Senate floor, "¸the October 10 celebration should mark the continuance of the close cooperation in all areas between our two countries, as well as the founding of a nation. Again, I congratulate Taiwan on the occasion of its National Day."
Representative Hilliard said October 8 on the House floor, "...On Taiwan's National Day, we should recognize Taiwan for what it is†a prosperous democracy, worthy of respect and admiration. I have enjoyed working with Ambassador C. J. Chen and his staff. They have kept me informed of the development in Taiwan. They are exemplary diplomats. Happy Birthday to Taiwan."
The local community of ROC expatriates also celebrated the ROC's birthday by holding parades on October 5 in Chinatown in Washington, D.C. and holding a flag-raising ceremony October 6 at Richard Montgomery High School.
