The 18 Founding Members of the DPP

(The following appears on a plaque next to the photograph.)

Time: 1986.11.10
Venue: Taipei Branch of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly

Ideas often unexpectedly spin the wheel of history.

After fifty years’ stagnation, “Democracy” and “Progress” were thrown like pebbles into Taiwan’s still political waters with the 1986 founding of the Democratic Progressive Party. The growing ripples from these ideas would rebuild Taiwan.

Living though they were in a repressive era, this young band’s high expectations for their country made them willing to sacrifice their own lives for their ideas.

This picture was taken after a secret Nov. 10th meeting of 18 DPP founders, a meeting held before the First National Congress was convened. Their serene expressions reflect the recognition that they had started down the road of democracy and progress. There was no turning back. The founders were ready to sacrifice all.

Name list (from right to left):

FRONT ROW:
Huang Erh-hsuan
Yen Ching-fu
Chou Ching-yu
Chen Chu
Hsu Jung-shu
Fu Cheng
Kang Ning-hsiang
Frank / Hsieh Chang-ting
Jiang Peng-jian
Hong Chi-chang

BACK ROW:
Chiou I-jen
Chou Tsang-yuan
Kou Chi-jen
Su Tseng-chang
Yu Ching
Fei Shi-ping
Chang Chun-hsiung
Yu Shyi-kun

Letter to Tsai Ing-wen

August 4, 2008

Dear Chairwoman Tsai,

I have been an intern this summer in the Dept. of International Affairs. I first came to the DPP shortly after President Chen’s victory in 2000 and continued to volunteer on school breaks.

However, I was increasingly turned off from politics by Chen’s performance during his two terms. After a long break, I came back to the DPP this time because I still wanted to believe in the Party despite the election loss.

In translating the Party’s press releases, I have become a big fan of your moderate and rational tone. In addition, your speeches have been a wonderful mix of substance and sentiment. I am confident that the DPP will rise again.

Finally, as this is my last week before I return to start my PhD, I would really appreciate having a picture taken with you (either on Tuesday or Thursday morning). If possible, I would like to use the photograph of the DPP’s 18 founding members as the background. I hope that you can accommodate my request.

Best Wishes,

Daphne

(Yes, she did.)