News & Events >> 2005

National Day Reception in the Capital City Club in Brookhaven

October 7, 2005

On October 5, 2005, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta hosted a reception in the Capitol City Club, Buckhead-Atlanta to commemorate the founding of Asia’s first constitutional republic. Over 350 guests, including dignitaries from TECO Atlanta’s jurisdiction, diplomats and dignitaries hailing from countries around the world, local grassroots leaders, and members of the local Taiwanese community joined TECO in celebration of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Several honored guests such as Claire McLeveighn, Director of External Affairs & International Relations for Atlanta’s Mayor Shirley Franklin, Georgia Representative, Ronald Forster, and South Carolina Representative, Liston Barfield were invited to speak at the reception. Ms. McLeveighn presented the Phoenix Award to Director General R.C. Wu, on behalf of the City of Atlanta, in recognition of the city’s bond and good relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan). Representative Forster spoke in support of increased recognition for the Republic of China. He stated that it is right for Taiwan’s democracy to have the support of the United States and that the People’s Republic of China (China) should learn from Taiwan’s successful democracy. Mr. Forster also proposed that the unification of Taiwan and China is only an option if China grants the freedom of democratic rule to its people. Representative Barfield, founder of the Taiwan Congressional Caucus in the South Carolina legislature, also spoke briefly on his support of the Republic of China. He made special note of the success and good reputations of Formosa Plastics and Evergreen, cargo shipping company, in the State of South Carolina. Dr. Josephine Tan, chair of Governor Sunny Perdue’s Asian American Commission for a New Georgia, also attended.

Director General Wu welcomed his guests and spoke on the history and fast-paced progression of the Republic of China at home and in the international arena, despite the setbacks from a bullish response in the People’s Republic of China. He stressed the good economic and political relations that Taiwan has consistently upheld with the United States, specifically in TECO Atlanta’s region of the 6 states in the Southeast U.S. Mr. Wu also talked of further efforts to establish the legitimate status of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the global community. A toast was made to friendship between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Ms. Daisy Wu sang the United States of America’s national anthem and Mr. Edward Sun sang the Republic of China’s national anthem, after which, the guests were invited to enjoy their evening of celebration.

Photo captions from left to right:

(1) Scene of the reception

(2) From Left: Rep. Ron Forster(R-GA), Rep. Liston Barfield (R-SC), D-G Wu,
Mrs. Wu, Dr. Josephine Tan, and Ms. Claire McLeveighn

(3) D-G Wu receives the Proclamation of Governor Sonny Perdue from Dr. Tan

(4) Representative Barfield makes remarks on behalf of South Carolina.

(5) Director-General & Mrs. Wu with the TECO staff.

(6) From Left to Right: Dennis Lin, Mrs. Lin, Mrs. Wu, D-G Wu, Robert Won,
Jimmy Ho, Tony Tseng, and Steven Hao.

(7) D-G & Mrs. Wu with Rep. Gerald Greene (third from right) and Mr. Robert
Hobbs (second from right) and their wives.

(8) From Left: Yvonne Ho, Lon-Di Tso, Joan Chen, Dr. Brenda Tillman (Clark
Atlanta University)

(9) The Exhibition of Traditional Taiwanese Hand Puppets