[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 334 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 334

  Relating to Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 7, 1998

 Mr. Solomon (for himself, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Bereuter, and Mr. Brown of 
Ohio) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
              to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Relating to Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization.

Whereas good health is a basic right for every citizen of the world and access 
        to the highest standards of health information and services is necessary 
        to help guarantee this right;
Whereas direct and unobstructed participation in international health 
        cooperation forums and programs is therefore crucial, especially with 
        today's greater potential for the cross-border spread of various 
        infectious diseases such as AIDS and Hong Kong bird flu through 
        increased trade and travel;
Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) set forth in the first chapter of 
        its charter the objective of attaining the highest possible level of 
        health for all people;
Whereas in 1977 the World Health Organization established ``Health for all by 
        the year 2000'' as its overriding priority and reaffirmed that central 
        vision with the initiation of its ``Health For All'' renewal process in 
        1995;
Whereas Taiwan's population of 21,000,000 people is larger than that of \3/4\ of 
        the member states already in the World Health Organization and shares 
        the noble goals of the organization;
Whereas Taiwan's achievements in the field of health are substantial, including 
        one of the highest life expectancy levels in Asia, maternal and infant 
        mortality rates comparable to those of western countries, the 
        eradication of such infectious diseases as cholera, smallpox, and the 
        plague, the first Asian nation to be rid of polio, and the first country 
        in the world to provide children with free hepatitis B vaccinations;
Whereas prior to 1972 and its loss of membership in the World Health 
        Organization, Taiwan sent specialists to serve in other member countries 
        on countless health projects and its health experts held key positions 
        in the organization, all to the benefit of the entire Pacific region;
Whereas Taiwan is not allowed to participate in any WHO-organized forums and 
        workshops concerning the latest technologies in the diagnosis, 
        monitoring, and control of diseases;
Whereas in recent years both the Taiwanese Government and individual Taiwanese 
        experts have expressed a willingness to assist financially or 
        technically in WHO-supported international aid and health activities, 
        but have ultimately been unable to render such assistance;
Whereas according to the constitution of the World Health Organization, Taiwan 
        does not fulfill the criteria for membership;
Whereas the World Health Organization does allow observers to participate in the 
        activities of the organization; and
Whereas in light of all of the benefits that such participation could bring to 
        the state of health not only in Taiwan, but also regionally and 
        globally: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) Taiwan and its 21,000,000 people should have 
        appropriate and meaningful participation in the World Health 
        Organization; and
            (2) it should be United States policy to pursue some 
        initiative in the World Health Organization which will give 
        Taiwan meaningful participation in a manner that is consistent 
        with such organization's requirements.
                                 <all>