Speaker Kao Yu-jen of Taiwan Provincial Assembly, at 48 is already a seasoned politician. Before he acquired his present post last December, he had been elected by the Provincial Assembly from 1968 to 1972, and held the elective office of mayor of Tainan prefecture from 1972 to 1976. He also had held important posts in the Ministry of Interiors, the KMT Central Committee and the Department of Civil Affairs of the Taipei City Government.

Asked why he gave up a successful law career to enter politics, Kao said, "I have always wanted to contribute some my life to the community where I grew up. I was practicing law in my hometown in Tainan prefecture in 1968, but I felt drawn to government. I felt law, while useful, was restricted to a small part of the community. It seemed only natural to turn from law to legislation at that time." Years ago, Kao's father had run for a seat in the Provincial Assembly but had lost. The speaker admits "finishing my late father's unfinished ambition also influenced my decision."

Kao Yu-jen has held many important posts. "Every job had educated me in a different way. For instance, I learned how to serve my electorate as a legislator and mayor, I learned how to talk to people from different social levels when working as a lawyer. While working in the Ministry of Interior (Administrative Vice Minister, 1976-1978) and KMT Central Committee (Director of the Secretariat, 1978-1979), I witnessed how decisions were made at cabinet levels."

The speaker sees himself in his new post as a bridge between the government and the electorate. He intends to use mass communication to keep in touch with the 14 million people of Taiwan Province, exclusive of special municipalities of Taipei and Kaohsiung. "My idea is to establish communication channels with the electorate through the mass media. Through objective reporting, the 14 million people will understand what their legislators have done for them. The legislators will also hear the voters' opinions through public channels."

On the relationship between the provincial government and the assembly, the speaker says it should neither be one of confrontation, nor subordination. "It should be a system guided by national interests and mass welfare." The speaker plans to establish a consultation system to help the assemblymen to make accurate judgements. He also plans to establish an appraisal system to supervise the carrying out of assembly decisions.

Throughout the interview, the amiable wife of the speaker sat next to her husband, occasionally throwing in comments. She is the woman behind this successful man. Due to the nature of his work, the speaker has to deal with a tremendous amount of visitors, phone calls and mail. His wife helps to reduce his workload by receiving calls at home and answering letters. During the interview, Speaker Kao turned often to exchange loving glances with his wife and to look amused as he listened his wife describe him as a husband and father.

According to Mrs. Kao, Mr. Kao is rather absent-minded when it comes to trivial matters in daily life. He does not have time to shop for his own clothes and shoes, neither does he always remember to attend his children's birthday parties. His devotion to work at times frustrates his family, especially the children. His wife, by now, has graciously accepted the fact that she has a VIP husband and that she must share her husband with the public.

The speaker also tries hard to spend the little free time he has with his family. One day, on his way home, late, he suddenly remembered it was his wife's birthday. So he rushed to a bakery and bought a cake for the occasion. As it turned out, he got home so late that everyone else was sound asleep. The incident has acquired the status of a family joke.

Born into a farmer's family, the speaker has a simple life style. Music, his children and swimming occupy most of his leisure hours. He explains that everyday he is surrounded by people, strangers, acquaintances; he is rarely alone. So whenever he can, he hurries back home--to the only place in the world that refreshes him. Since last December, the speaker has had to travel regularly back and forth between Taipei and Taichung, where the offices of the Provincial Assembly are located.

How does he retain his energy, amidst all his work and travel? He simply has learned to conserve his strength. He steals catnaps between meetings and on the train. Perhaps most importantly, he never strays from the simple life style he learned in his childhood.

[Picture Caption]

1.2. The new speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly is a seasoned politician at 48. 3. The speaker was re-elected Assemblyman from Tainan prefecture.

1. Behind every successful man is a great woman. Mrs. Kao is the woman behind the speaker. 2. The speaker and Mrs. Kao at the swearing-in ceremony in Taiwan Provincial Assembly last December. 3. The Kao's have three lovely children. 3. Mr. Kao talks to local people during the campaign period last year.

The new speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly is a seasoned politician at 48.

The speaker was re-elected Assemblyman from Tainan prefecture.

Behind every successful man is a great woman. Mrs. Kao is the woman behind the speaker.

The speaker and Mrs. Kao at the swearing-in ceremony in Taiwan Provincial Assembly last December.

The Kao's have three lovely children.

Mr. Kao talks to local people during the campaign period last year.