Chen gives honor to founding father

Tao Pai-chuan (陶百川), former national policy advisor, received the "Propitious Clouds" medal of honor from President Chen Sui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday.

Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said Tao was a statesman dedicated to the causes of democracy and the rule of law. They also said he was a man of integrity and character.

Tao has been venerated by both the KMT and DPP governments. Chen wrote about Tao in his e-letters.

"Although Tao came from the KMT, during his 30 years of service as a member of the Control Yuan, Tao exercised his influence during many critical moments of Taiwan's democratic reformation as a mediator between the government and the opposition party," Chen said.

Tao investigated various cases such as the 228 incident and the Sun Li-jen (孫立人) case, which earned him a reputation as democratic thinker.

Tao resigned his position because of his old age in 2000, the year Chen was inaugurated as president.

Tao had planned to resign during Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) presidential term for the same reason, but Lee managed to keep him.

"Tao's contribution to Taiwan is already firmly acknowledged and he needs no approval in the form of his holding government positions," Chen said. "His democratic ideals have become the very goal of the nation's political development."

Lu said she admired Tao's contribution to the country and society. She also gave personal account about, Tao who advocated on the behalf of those like herself who were imprisoned during the Kaohsiung incident.