Washington, Sept. 25 (CNA) Republic of China first lady Wu Shu-jen was presented with a medal from the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Wednesday for her contribution to the promotion of democratization in Taiwan.
Wu received the medal from NED Chairman Carl Gershman at a cocktail reception given in her honor on the Capitol Hill.
An emotional Wu said it's a great honor for her to receive the award, adding that she would continue dedicating herself to the promotion of the universal values of freedom and democracy.
Wu lauded the NED for its contribution to helping promoting democracy in countries around the world since its inauguration in 1983. Wu said a similar foundation will be formed in Taiwan next year. "We'll be more than willing to cooperate with the NED in boosting democratic movement around the world in the future," she added.
Many U.S. congressional heavyweights attended the reception to extend their warm welcome to Wu for her current historic visit to the United States. Wu was the first ROC first lady ever to visit the U.S. capital since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
Also present on the occasion was Paula J. Dobriansky, undersecretary of state for global affairs.
Earlier in the day, Wu, bound to a wheelchair since a traffic accident in 1985, visited the National Rehabilitation Hospital where she chatted with some patients and encouraged them to overcome all difficulties and complete rehabilitation programs.
Wu also paid a visit to the U.S. Red Cross Society to take a look into its charitable operations. She invited Marsha J. Evans to visit Taiwan to discuss possible cooperative programs. Evans expressed thanks for Taiwan's devotion to relief work in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 21, 2001.
Wu arrived in New York last Thursday to start her 11-day visit to the United States, which will take her to Los Angeles after her Washington, D.C. trip.