Huang Hsin-chieh (
The funeral service, organized by the DPP, was held in a large parking lot in the Shihlin district of Taipei yesterday morning.
Around 2,000 people attended the service, according to police estimates. Among those attending were President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), Vice President Lien Chan(連戰) and high-ranking officials from the DPP, the KMT, the New Party and the Taiwan Independence Party.
Officials from government agencies and local government bodies also attended the funeral service.
DPP Chairman Lin I-hsiung (
Several DPP stalwarts gave eulogies, with many in attendance weeping openly while listening to the speeches.
Chang Chun-hung (
Shih said Huang was one of the prime architects of Taiwan's political reform movement that gave the nation the democratic system it now enjoys.
"Although we were saddened by Huang's death, the people of this country should feel high-spirited, just like today's clear blue skies and sunshine," Shih said.
Shih also said that while Huang never reached the summit on the "stage of political power," he would be remembered as an important figure in the nation's history.
In another eulogy, DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (
In a political career that spanned more than 50 years, Huang was a major figure behind Taiwan's transition from martial law to democracy.
As head of the DPP, Huang helped push for various national political reforms.
He also had the honor of being the first DPP chairman invited into the Presidential Office to have direct discussions with President Lee.
In a tip of the hat to the DPP chairman, Lee often said that Huang's election campaign speeches introduced him to various democratic ideas and concepts.
During the funeral service yesterday, Chen read a poem dedicated to Huang, likening Huang to a tree forever growing in the nation's soil.
"Although he has passed away, he would surely less Taiwan, our motherland, to ensure that Taiwan's springtime will soon approach," Chen said.
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