City of Fort Payne, Alabama, Welcomes Closer Ties with Taiwan

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July 7, 2004

At the invitation of Senator Lowell Barron, President Pro Tem of Alabama Senate, Director General R. C. Wu toured the City of Fort Payne, Alabama, the ˇ§Hosiery Capitol of the Worldˇ¨ on July 6, 2004.  Mr. Wu was accompanied by several Taiwanese-American business leaders and Senior Consular Officer Bill Huang. During their visit in Fort Payne, the delegation met Senator Barron, Mayor Bill Jordan and several other political and business leaders. 

Mr. Wu was also invited to speak at the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce regarding the cordial and mutually beneficial relations between Taiwan and Alabama. At the discussion, he explored opportunities for future bilateral cooperation with those present. The delegation also visited two local businesses - Vulcraft Steel and Ferguson Enterprises.  

In May 2004, Senator Barron led a delegation of political leaders form the Southeastern United States to visit Taiwan and to attend the Inaugural Ceremony of President Chen Shui-bian. Senator Barron spoke highly of the economic and democratic achievements made by the ROC and volunteered to help facilitate stronger ties between Taiwan and Alabama. Impressed with his visit to Taiwan, Senator Barron took the initiative to contact TECO-Atlanta and arrange for Mr. Wu to visit Fort Payne, his home town in Northeast Alabama.