Taipei (Speaker Newsroom) – Speaker Nancy Pelosi received the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, presented by President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan.  Below are the Speaker's acceptance remarks:
 
Speaker Pelosi.  Thank you, Madam President.


It is such a high honor to receive the Order of the Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon from you.  We are so proud of your leadership: a woman President in one of the freest societies in the world.  It is with great immense admiration for your leadership, and great personal humility, that I accept this award.


Humility because I accept it not for me only, but for Members of Congress who were so instrumental in all that you said about our accomplishments together.  Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, both sides of the aisle – united in our support for Taiwan. 


This time, I am so excited to receive this award on behalf of the United States Congress – as I've said, is just unwavering.  The response that we had to our visit was so positive from our colleagues.  I look forward to displaying this award in the Speaker's Office or wearing it there –


[Laughter]


– in the Capitol as a symbol of our treasured friendship.  


Madam President, I think it's important to remind some and inform others of how we are here.  Forty-three years ago, with the Taiwan Relations Act, America made a bedrock promise to always stand with Taiwan.  And on this strong foundation, we have built a thriving partnership, grounded in our shared values of self-government and self-determination, focused on our mutual security interests in the region and across the world, committed to the economic ties that power prosperity for all of our people. 


Today, our delegation – which I'm very proud – came to Taiwan to make unequivocally clear: we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan, and we're proud of our enduring friendship.


And may I mention, they're all co-Chairs of this delegation.  The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Gregory Meeks of New York; the Chair of the [Veterans] Affairs Committee, Mr. Takano of California; the Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Congresswoman DelBene of Washington state; the Member of the Intelligence Committee and a leader in the COVID flight and so many things in the Congress, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi from – I say Illinois, he says Chicago.  And again, one of our newest Members of Congress, serving the – as a diplomat in the State Department before coming, Congressman Andy Kim, of not only the Armed Services Committee, but also the Foreign Affairs Committee and others.


We're very proud of our delegation, and when you hear – as you will have been hearing from them in the course of our visit – you will know even more why we are.  Thank you to our delegation. 


And we're proud to be here with the Vice President [Tsai Chi-chang], with Mr. [Joseph] Wu, with other distinguished leaders who are here with you, Madam President.  Thank you for your leadership.  


The story of Taiwan is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people – in the United States and around the world.  Out of a crucible of challenge, you have forged a flourishing democracy: one of the freest in the world, proudly to be led by a woman President.  That's an applause line.


[Applause]


And Taiwan has been an island of resilience in the world.  Indeed, the people of Taiwan have proven to the world that – with hope, courage and determination – it is possible to build a peaceful and prosperous future, even in terms of the challenges you face.  And now more than ever, America solidarity with Taiwan is crucial.  And that is the message we are bringing here today.


When we travel and leave the country as a Congressional delegation: security, to protect our people as well as global security; economy, to spread prosperity in our own country and others; and governance, are three principal pillars of our travel.  And in all three areas, we have great cooperation and friendship with Taiwan, and we value that.


I just do want to mention and congratulate Taiwan for your governance of the COVID issue, the COVID pandemic.  You are a model to the world in terms of the cooperation of the people and the success of your initiatives.  Congratulations, Madam President.  Congratulations to the people of Taiwan for following the lead and suggesting their own proposals. 


Today, the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy.  America's determination to preserve democracy here in Taiwan and around the world remains ironclad.  And we're grateful to the partnership of the people of Taiwan in this mission.


I'm very grateful to receive this award.  I'm grateful to you, Madam President – to the people for their enduring friendship.  I'm very bfewered, as are my colleagues, with many Taiwan U.S.s who are very excited about our visit.  And in fact, when I came before, in ‘99, I came with them.  And we learned a lot.  And that's what we came to do: to participate in the Asian Pacific initiative in a way that is appropriate for Taiwan to be successful, whether in trade, security, et cetera.  And to do so, in a way that opens many more possibilities.  


We came here to listen, to learn – and what do you know?  I got this beautiful, beautiful, beautiful – the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon.  Thank you, Madam President.  Thank you so much.