[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CALLING FOR U.S. SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN'S REPRESENTATION IN THE WORLD 
                          HEALTH ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 1998

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution calling for Taiwan's representation in the World Health 
Organization (WHO) and U.S. support for such a bid. As the ranking 
member on the House Subcommittee on Health and Environment, I am 
pleased that several of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have 
joined me in this important endeavor, for health knows no boundaries 
and this issue is one that should unite rather than divide us.
  Sick children feel the same pain and shed the same tears, whether 
they live in Taipei, Los Angeles, Milan, or Nairobi. The stated and 
noble aim of the WHO is to help achieve the highest possible level of 
health for all peoples, but the 21 million people of Taiwan are 
currently barred from accessing the latest medical knowledge and 
techniques which the WHO could provide. Moreover, Taiwan cannot 
contribute its own substantial health resources and expertise to 
furthering the goals of the WHO, as it did prior to 1972.
  Quite simply, as increased international trade and travel leads to a 
greater potential for the cross-border spread of infectious diseases, 
the case for Taiwan's participation in the WHO grows stronger every 
day. Taiwan and its children have much to gain from the WHO, as does 
the WHO from Taiwan. This issue is principally a matter of the basic 
human right to good health, and I encourage all my colleagues to 
support this resolution.

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