[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E894-E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONCERNING PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 428, a bill which 
calls for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization 
(WHO). I would also like to commend the author of the legislation, my 
friend and colleague from Ohio, Mr. Sherrod Brown, for his leadership 
on this issue. I am proud to join as a co-sponsor of this important 
bipartisan legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, the World Health Organization is the most 
important international health organization in the world. In its

[[Page E895]]

charter, the WHO sets forth the crucial objective of attaining the 
highest possible level of health for all people, yet today the 23 
million citizens of Taiwan are denied appropriate and meaningful 
participation in the international health forums and programs conducted 
by the WHO. Currently, there are over 190 participants in the WHO; 
Taiwan is not one of them. What this means is that Taiwan is not 
permitted to receive WHO benefits.
  Access to the WHO ensures that the highest standards of health 
information and services are provided, facilitating the eradication of 
disease and improvement of public health on a world-wide basis. The 
work of the WHO is particularly crucial today given the tremendous 
volume of international travel, which has heightened the transmission 
of communicable diseases between borders. Lack of access to WHO 
protections has caused people of Taiwan to suffer needlessly.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no good reason why Taiwan should be denied 
observer status with the World Health Organization. As a strong 
democracy and one of the world's most robust economies, Taiwan should 
participate in the health services and medical protections offered by 
the WHO. In addition, the WHO stands to benefit significantly from the 
financial and technological contributions that Taiwan has to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
legislation.

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