For Immediate Release
Washington DC – August 10, 2020
Contact: (202) 547-3686
Overseas Taiwanese Organizations Commemorate Taiwan’s Father of Democracy – Former President Lee Teng-hui
President Lee’s passing saddens all the freedom and democracy-loving overseas Taiwanese. Not only have we lost a President who always kept Taiwan’s future in his heart, but also a kindhearted father-like figure who would take care of those who would follow in his footsteps.
Former President Lee was a pioneer in Taiwan’s democratization process and the movement for an independent Taiwanese identity despite that he experienced Japanese colonization and the authoritarian Chiang regimes. It is his commitment to these values that binds our fates together. With his perseverance and pragmatism, we have the strongest leader along the path to Taiwan’s democratization. President Lee’s audacity and vision also show the world our pride of being Taiwanese. His quote, “The people are in my heart every moment of the day,” will always be the motto of Taiwan’s independence and autonomy.
During this time of expressing condolences, we also encourage overseas Taiwanese to honor President Lee’s exceptional and compassionate life. His countless and hard-won achievements, including the dissolution of the undemocratic National Assembly, the abolishment of the Temporary Provisions Against Communist Rebellion, the decision to hold direct presidential elections, the promotion of special state-to-state relationship, and the reforms to achieve civilian control of the military all have had a profound impact on Taiwan. We believe that remembering our path to democracy under his leadership is the best way to commemorate President Lee.
Let us keep his ceaseless pursuit of the normalization of Taiwan in our heart, and carry his torch to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty, rectifying our country’s name, and win over global recognition, so that the people of Taiwan can be the owner of its own destiny and future.
North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA)
North America Taiwanese Professors’ Association (NATPA)
North America Taiwanese Women’s Association (NATWA)
Taiwanese Association of America (TAA-USA)
World Federation of Taiwanese Associations (WFTA)
World Taiwanese Congress (WTC)
World United Formosans for Independence – USA Chapter (WUFI-USA)
Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)
海外台灣人社團共同悼念台灣民主之父 —— 李前總統登輝
李前總統的離世，讓同樣追求自由民主的海外台灣人感到十分悲慟與不捨。我們不僅失去一位時刻心繫台灣前途的前總統，更告別了關愛與提攜後輩的大家長。
即使曾歷經日本殖民與兩蔣威權時代，李前總統對於台灣主體及民主價值的認同，將他與我們的命運緊密地連繫在一起。因為他的堅毅與務實，海外台灣人在追求台灣民主暨自由化的道路上，有了最堅強且沉穩的領導者；因為他的膽識與謀略，生而為台灣人的驕傲終得以躍上國際的舞台。李前總統在美國一席「民之所欲，長在我心」的談話，將永遠銘刻於台灣獨立自主的基石上。
今日除了悼念之外，我們也鼓勵海外台灣人在此時一同榮耀他無比精彩且無私奉獻的一生：終結萬年國會、廢止動員戡亂、舉行總統直選、提倡兩國論、推動軍隊國家化等。回顧這些台灣得來不易且影響深遠的改革，將是紀念李前總統的最好方式。
謹記他對「台灣國家正常化」的追求與堅持，讓我們共同承接李前總統的精神與遺志，持續捍衛台灣主權獨立、推動正名制憲、爭取國際承認，使台灣人能永遠當家作主，決定自己及台灣的前途與未來。
北美臺灣人醫師協會
北美洲台灣人教授協會
北美洲臺灣婦女會
全美台灣同鄉會
世界台灣同鄉會聯合會
世界台灣人大會
臺灣獨立建國聯盟美國本部
台灣人公共事務會
