[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2168-H2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1545
CONCERNING PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the
Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 428) concerning the participation of
Taiwan in the World Health Organization.
The Clerk read as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. CONCERNING THE PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO).
(a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Good health is important to every citizen of the world
and access to the highest standards of health information and
services is necessary to improve the public health.
(2) Direct and unobstructed participation in international
health cooperation forums and programs is beneficial for all
parts of the world, especially with today's greater potential
for the cross-border spread of various infectious diseases
such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis,
and malaria.
(3) Taiwan's population of 23,500,000 people is larger than
that of \3/4\ of the member states already in the World
Health Organization (WHO).
(4) 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, and the first to eradicate polio and provide children
with hepatitis B vaccinations.
(5) The United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and its Taiwan counterpart agencies have enjoyed
close collaboration on a wide range of public health issues.
(6) In recent years Taiwan has expressed a willingness to
assist financially and technically in international aid and
health activities supported by the WHO.
(7) On January 14, 2001, an earthquake, registering between
7.6 and 7.9 on the Richter scale, struck El Salvador. In
response, the Taiwanese government sent 2 rescue teams,
consisting of 90 individuals specializing in firefighting,
medicine, and civil engineering. The Taiwanese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs also donated $200,000 in relief aid to the
Salvadoran Government.
(8) The World Health Assembly has allowed observers to
participate in the activities of the organization, including
the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974, the Order of
Malta, and the Holy See in the early 1950's.
(9) The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review,
declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in
appropriate international organizations.
(10) Public Law 106-137 required the Secretary of State to
submit a report to the Congress on efforts by the executive
branch to support Taiwan's participation in international
organizations, in particular the WHO.
(11) In light of all benefits that Taiwan's participation
in the WHO can bring to the state of health not only in
Taiwan, but also regionally and globally, Taiwan and its
23,500,000 people should have appropriate and meaningful
participation in the WHO.
(b) Plan.--The Secretary of State is authorized--
(1) to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain
observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of
the World Health Assembly in May 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland;
and
(2) to instruct the United States delegation to Geneva to
implement that plan.
(c) Report.--Not later than 14 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
written report to the Congress in unclassified form
containing the plan authorized under subsection (b).
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barr of Georgia). Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Brown) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
General Leave
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 428.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this legislation which would
authorize the administration to initiate a plan to endorse and obtain
observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization during the
May 2001 World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Brown) for sponsoring this resolution. It should be stressed that
nothing in this bill implies a change in this country's one China
policy, which has been based for over 30 years on three communiques and
the Taiwan Relations Act. At the same time, however, care should be
taken not to arbitrarily exclude the 23 million people of Taiwan from
appropriate economic and humanitarian venues.
Mr. Speaker, the House previously passed this bill 407-0 on April 24.
Today we are considering the legislation as amended by the Senate. We
should support it for at least two reasons:
First, Taiwan's participation in the WHO will advance the cause of
public health worldwide. In January, Taiwan played an important role in
providing relief to earthquake victims in El Salvador. By gaining
observer status at the WHO, Taiwan will be able to participate more
meaningfully in meeting its, and our, global health challenges in the
future. Disease and national disasters know no borders.
Secondly, where sovereignty is not at issue, Taiwan's participation
in international organizations makes common sense. Taiwan thrives
economically and politically. Economically, Taiwan has raised the
standard of living on a more equalitarian basis than any developing
country over the past half century.
Politically, reminiscent of Sun Yat-Sen's call for staged democratic
development, Taiwan has moved, particularly over the past two decades,
to expand and refine representative democracy. Today it is a model for
the world.
Mr. Speaker, the Senate has modified this bill to reflect the
concerns of the senior Senator from the State of Utah, Mr. Hatch. The
bill now authorizes rather than requires the Secretary of State to
formulate and pursue a plan to win observer status for Taiwan in the
World Health Organization. The administration supports this change, and
I urge that the House do so as well.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) for his good
work on this issue. On May 20 of last year, Chen Shui-bian was sworn in
as President of Taiwan. This was an historic event, the first major
transfer of power between rival political parties in that nation's
history.
Mature democracies like the United States take such political
transitions for granted, but the peaceful exchange of power is a rare
democratic legacy. Taiwan now shares this privilege. Taiwan has evolved
into a stable, prosperous nation governed by the rule of law. Taiwan's
40-year journey toward democracy is a success story. We should
acknowledge and reward that progress and celebrate it.
Mr. Speaker, to this end, I introduced H.R. 428, which would
authorize our U.S. Department of State to initiate a plan to endorse
and obtain observer status for Taiwan in this year's World Health
Assembly. Ninety-two of my colleagues have cosponsored this bill
fostering Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly. This is
a modest step, but a meaningful one. Observer status in the WHA does
not require statehood, in fact the PLO, the Order of Malta, the
Vatican, and Rotary International all have observer status in Geneva at
the WHA, but passing this bill will be a significant victory for every
Taiwanese citizen and for every American who cares about human rights.
Children and families suffer from the effects of inadequate health
care,
[[Page H2169]]
whether they live in Washington, Geneva, Beijing, or Taipei. In 1998,
Taiwan suffered an outbreak of enterovirus 71, a potentially fatal
disease that causes severe inflammation of muscle surrounding the
brain, spinal cord, and heart. Infants and children are particularly
vulnerable to this highly contagious virus. Unfortunately, the
Taiwanese doctors treating enterovirus 71 did not have access to the
medical resources of the WHO. By the time the outbreak was under
control, 70 Taiwanese children had died. Had Taiwan been permitted to
draw on WHO expertise, these children could very well still be alive.
But as Taiwan benefits from participation in the WHO, so does the
rest of the world. Taiwan, with a highly developed health care system,
has made great advances in science and technology. Inclusion in WHO
would allow American health officials better access to Taiwanese
information, as much as the other way around.
Mr. Speaker, our government's tacit support for the status quo, our
unwillingness to fight for Taiwan's participation in the World Health
Organization, is not only short-sighted, it is unjustifiable.
Infectious diseases do not respect politically driven distinctions or
national borders. Infectious diseases travel. If there is TB in Taiwan,
there will inevitably be TB in the U.S. If there is HIV/AIDS in South
Africa, there will inevitably be HIV/AIDS in Brazil.
Mr. Speaker, global illnesses are just that, global. No country is
immune when one country faces a public health crisis. Recently, the
administration decided to sell four Kidd-class destroyers to Taiwan,
despite threats from the People's Republic of China. If our commitment
as a Nation is strong enough to justify supporting Taiwan's military
defense with arms sales, it certainly is strong enough to justify
supporting access to global health resources for Taiwan's 23.5 million
people.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the strong support H.R. 428 has received
from Members on both sides of the aisle, and look forward to the bill's
passage today. I call on President Bush to do the right thing, to go to
Geneva and fight for observer status for Taiwan at the World Health
Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Pence).
Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 428. I thank
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Brown) for their excellent work on this measure.
Mr. Speaker, the passage of this measure before the House will mark
yet another triumph for the United States and Taiwan. For too long
Taiwan has been denied the benefit of participation in the World Health
Organization and a dialogue with its member nations concerning public
health policy.
Unfortunately, this absence has prevented the people of Taiwan and
the members of the World Health Organization from the experiences of an
emerging leader in East Asia. I am pleased that we will correct this
oversight today.
Mr. Speaker, we have a moral duty to ensure that our neighbors have
access to the same lifesaving information and technology that we enjoy
in the United States. As one of the world's most densely populated
regions, Taiwan has been successful at controlling infectious diseases
and matching the infant mortality rates of developed nations. Yet work
remains in areas such as food safety and the control of illegal drugs.
Mr. Speaker, the World Health Organization can help Taiwan in those
efforts. I am encouraged by the prospects for all the World Health
Organization's members, and I look forward to increased participation
by Taiwan in world health events. Ultimately, the real benefit of
Taiwan's entry in the WHO will be the children of Taiwan who will have
better access to immunizations and preventive care.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in this
bipartisan effort in supporting this bill.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, let me stress that arguably the greatest
issue in the world today may well be disease control. What the WHO
symbolizes is a people-oriented concern for control of disease. Taiwan
should not be precluded from expanding its capacity to meet its
people's needs, nor precluded from assisting others in less
sophisticated health care centers from receiving the support of
Taiwanese doctors and health care delivery specialists.
Mr. Speaker, this is a common-sense bill. I urge support of it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the House
Resolution 428 to approve Taiwan participation in the World Health
Organization.
Historically the United States and Taiwan have maintained good
relationship. Ever since its establishment in 1912 we have had
substantive diplomatic and commercial ties. On April 10, 1979, the
House of Representatives have enacted Public Law 96-8, known as the
Taiwan Relations Act. This Act played a very important role in shaping
our policies toward Taiwan. It is considered as a representation of our
best ideals to safeguard security and commercial interests in the area.
Taiwan with its population of approximately 20 million has solidly
embraced the principles of a democratic society.
Its medical infrastructure is considered to be among the best in the
world. According to a recent report, at the end of 1999, there were
152,385 medical personnel in Taiwan. There are currently 11 medical
schools, 13 paramedical junior colleges, and 14 paramedical vocational
schools.
Virtually all medical specialties known in the Western World are
being practiced in Taiwan.
In view of our close diplomatic ties and excellent health care
program in Taiwan, I support House Resolution 428 to allow Taiwan to
participate in the World Health Organization.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 428 which
authorizes the United States Secretary of State to initiate and
implement a plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at
the annual summit of the World Health assembly (of the World Health
Organization) this month in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan and its 23
million people should have appropriate and meaningful participation in
the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO Constitution states that the ``enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every
human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief,
economic or social condition.'' Yet today, Taiwan is excluded from
participation in the WHO because of political pressure from the
People's Republic of China.
This means that the people of Taiwan cannot share in the WHO's vital
resources and expertise. Taiwanese physicians and health experts are
not allowed to take part in WHO-organized forums and workshops
regarding the latest techniques in the diagnosis, monitoring and
control of diseases. Taiwanese doctors do not have access to WHO
medical protocols and health standards.
This is simply not right. Diseases do not stop at national
boundaries, and with today's high frequency of international travel,
the possibility of transmitting infectious diseases is greater than
ever. Good health is a basic right for every citizen of the world, and
Taiwan should be granted membership in the WHO.
Despite its exclusion from the WHO, Taiwan has made some remarkable
achievements in the field of health, including one of the highest life
expectancy levels in Asia, maternal and infant mortality rates
comparable to those of western countries, and the eradication of
infectious diseases such as smallpox and the plague. Taiwan is the
first Asian nation to be rid of polio and the first country in the
world to provide children with free hepatitis B vaccinations.
Prior to 1972 and its loss of membership in the WHO, Taiwan sent
specialists to serve on health projects in other members countries, and
its experts held key positions in the WHO. In recent years, the
Taiwanese government has expressed a willingness to assist financially
or technically in WHO-supported international aid and health
activities, but it has been unable to render such assistance because it
is unable to participate in the international health organization.
Taiwan's population of 23 million people is larger than three-
quarters of the member states already in the WHO. Clearly, Taiwan and
the world community could benefit by its participation in the WHO. I
believe the United States should actively support Taiwan's membership
in the World Health Organization.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 428.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the initiative
by the gentleman from Ohio, Congressman Brown, concerning Taiwan's
participation in the World Health Organization. I commend our
committee's distinguished chairman, Mr. Hyde and the ranking minority
member, the gentleman from California, Mr. Lantos and the subcommittee
chairmen and ranking minority members of the International Operations
and Human Rights
[[Page H2170]]
and East Asia and the Pacific for crafting and bringing this resolution
expeditiously to the floor.
Secretary Powell noted before our committee that there should be ways
for Taiwan to enjoy full benefits of participation in international
organizations without being a member. H.R. 428 only calls for the
Secretary of State to initiate a United States plan to endorse and
obtain observer status at the WHO for Taiwan.
In recent years Taiwan has expressed a willingness to assist
financially and technically in international aid and health activities
supported by the WHO, but has been unable to render such assistance
because Taiwan is not a member of the WHO.
The WHO has allowed observers to participate in the activities of the
organizations, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the
Knights of Malta, and the Vatican.
Along with many of my colleagues, we are very disappointed that
Taiwan is not a full member of the U.N. and all international
organizations that its democratically led government wishes to join.
Although this resolution does not anywhere near enough address this
concern, it is a first step in addressing the problem that Taiwan
faces.
Accordingly, I strongly support H.R. 428.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the House suspend the rules and
concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 428.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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