[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H10462-H10464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REQUIRING UNITED STATES PLAN TO ENDORSE AND OBTAIN OBSERVER STATUS FOR
TAIWAN AT WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2739) to amend Public Law 107-10 to require a United States
plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual
summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland,
and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2739
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC LAW 107-10.
(a) Findings.--Section 1(a) of Public Law 107-10 (115 Stat.
17) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(12) On May 11, 2001, President Bush stated in his letter
to Senator Murkowski that the United States `should find
opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in international
organizations in order to make a contribution, even if
membership is not possible', further stating that his
Administration `has focused on finding concrete ways for
Taiwan to benefit and contribute to the WHO.'.
``(13) On May 16, 2001, as part of the United States
delegation to the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva,
Switzerland, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson announced to the American International Club the
Administration's support of Taiwan's participation in the
activities of the WHO.''.
(b) Plan.--Section 1(b)(1) of Public Law 107-10 (115 Stat.
17) is amended by striking ``May 2001'' and inserting ``May
2002''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support of H.R. 2739 amending
Public Law 107-10 to require a United States plan to endorse and obtain
observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health
Assembly in May, 2002. The World Health Organization has allowed
observers to participate in its past activities, including such
activities as the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the Order of
Malta, and the Holy Sea.
As a founding member of the World Health Organization, the Republican
of China, Taiwan, had participated for 24 years as a full member in
WHO's programs and activities, and made significant contributions to
the fulfillment of that organization's objectives. Since the admission
of the People's Republic of China to the U.N. forced Taiwan to depart
from the World Health Organization in 1972, Taiwan, which has a
population of more than 23 million, has more people than 75 percent of
the member states in the WHO, but has been denied access to the WHO.
[[Page H10463]]
Over the years, Taiwan has offered its resources, scientists and
health practitioners to people in need throughout the world. Taiwan's
absence from the WHO system has become a missing link in the global
framework of health and medical care, and it is long overdue that the
world unites Taiwan's hands so that the world may benefit from its
expertise.
Accordingly, Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 2739 providing
observer status for Taiwan and the World Health Organization, and I
urge my colleagues to do the same.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. Let me
first commend my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for his persistence in
pushing Taiwan's observer status at the WHO. I also commend the
chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and chairman emeritus,
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for their strong support of
this legislation.
Congress has addressed this issue several times, Madam Speaker, and
we will continue to raise it until this inequity is resolved. Madam
Speaker, the World Health Organization makes a major contribution to
the international community every single day. WHO has new and
innovative programs to stop the spread of HIV-AIDS and other infectious
diseases. It has programs of development of basic health care services
throughout the developing world, and it provides humanitarian aid to
those in need.
{time} 1715
As we speak, the World Health Organization is laying the groundwork
for helping to meet health care needs in a post-conflict Afghanistan.
In this long and difficult struggle, the WHO and its member countries
should be looking for help wherever they can get it. Unfortunately, due
to opposition by the Chinese Government in Beijing, Taiwan's efforts to
obtain observer status to the annual World Health Assembly meetings in
Geneva have fallen on deaf ears. Although the administration has
indicated support for Taiwan's bid for observer status, it is unwilling
to ruffle any feathers in Beijing to make this bid a reality. The
Department of State argues that the majority of WHO members would never
support observer status for Taiwan and, therefore, the United States
should not make an effort on Taiwan's behalf.
Madam Speaker, this committee should strongly reject this defeatist
and weak-kneed logic. We should demand that the administration make a
concerted effort to ensure that Taiwan participates in this critical
international organization. Their bid may fail, but I can guarantee
that Taiwan will never be allowed to participate unless we try to get
them through the door.
Madam Speaker, Taiwan is a strong, prosperous and vibrant democracy.
It has the financial, scientific, medical and humanitarian resources
that can help the World Health Organization and all of its many member
states who desperately need help. Taiwan is not even asking to join the
WHO as a state but rather just as an observer. The case for Taiwan's
observer status at the WHO is clear and the administration should do
its utmost to make it happen.
I strongly support H.R. 2739 and urge all of my colleagues to do so,
as well.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from
California for his strong support of this measure. I also want to take
this opportunity to thank the sponsor of the measure, the gentleman
from Ohio (Mr. Brown), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for
introducing the measure.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), a member of our
Committee on International Relations.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman
from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for the leadership that he provides on this and
issues that are tied to the Republic of China, also to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos) and, of course, to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman). We do have a bipartisan committee. Although we do
have some heated debates at times, it is measures like this that
demonstrate that the basic values that bind us together are much
stronger than the disagreements that we might have.
The Republic of China on Taiwan is a shining example to the world not
only of democracy but of healthy and decent living, as well as, I might
add, an example of charity. Over these last 50 years, the people who
have lived on the island of Taiwan have seen their standard of living
rise dramatically. This, of course, while in other parts of the world
in other developing nations, some of those nations have not developed
like that. And then some nations that have developed economically have
not seen the benefits of that development translated into healthier
living for their populations. But in Taiwan, one is amazed to find that
not only have we seen a dramatic rise in their standard of living, but
we see the health of the general population has increased dramatically
as well.
Diseases which used to ravage the populations of the island nations
in the Pacific and in Asia, those diseases on Taiwan have not only been
brought under control but have been somewhat eradicated. This by a
commitment to the inoculation of young children and, yes, the
inoculation of the entire population against such diseases as well as
this leveling of health standards which has made Taiwan a very nice
place to visit and a very nice place to live and a very clean place to
live as compared to other developing countries.
But not only in this standard of health and decency. They have a
health care system there which is exemplary to other countries in Asia,
but what we also see there is a spirit of charity that sometimes we do
not see in developing nations. The Su Chi Foundation in Taiwan, for
example, gives out hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to
countries and to peoples who are in need in areas that are in distress.
In Afghanistan yes, but in many other countries that people are in
turmoil and other international institutions have not been able to
provide help, the Su Chi Foundation have stepped in and given people in
desperate circumstances aid in terms of health care, aid in terms of
blankets and other humanitarian services. This spirit of charity is
very exemplary of Taiwan. They have been very involved as a government
as well, but the Su Chi Foundation, let me add, is all contributions
made voluntarily by the people of Taiwan themselves.
The Republic of China on Taiwan has earned our respect and has
accomplished great things. They should be included, at least if nothing
else, as an observer for the World Health Organization. Why should the
Republic of China have that right? Because they have earned it. They
have earned our respect, they have treated their people decently, they
have shown charity, they have had a commitment to health. What more do
we need? They are also a democratic government.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), a distinguished
member of the Committee on International Relations.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
legislation before us, H.R. 2739, which facilitates Taiwan's
participation in the World Health Organization.
In follow-up to earlier measures enacted into law by this Congress,
H.R. 2739 requires the United States delegation to the World Health
Organization meetings in Geneva next May to submit to Congress a
detailed plan of action for obtaining observer status for Taiwan at the
World Health Organization summit. I congratulate the author of the
legislation, the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for his
longtime leadership on this issue. I further commend the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the chairman of the Committee on International
Relations, as well as my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman), who currently is the manager of this legislation, and
certainly our ranking Democratic member, the gentleman
[[Page H10464]]
from California (Mr. Lantos), for bringing this matter to the floor. I
am deeply honored to join my colleagues in support of this bipartisan
legislation.
Madam Speaker, the World Health Organization is the preeminent
international health organization in the world. In its charter, the
World Health Organization sets forth the crucial objectives of
attaining the highest possible level of health care for all people. Yet
today the 23 million citizens of the Republic of China on Taiwan are
still denied appropriate and meaningful participation in the
international health forums and programs conducted by the World Health
Organization. This is simply wrong and inexcusable and must be
corrected.
Access to the World Health Organization ensures that the highest
standards of health, information and services are provided,
facilitating the eradication of disease and improvement of public
health worldwide. The work of the World Health Organization is
particularly crucial today given the tremendous volume of international
travel which has heightened the transmission of communicable diseases,
such as HIV/AIDS, between borders.
With over some 190 countries participating in the World Health
Organization, it is a travesty that Taiwan is not permitted to receive
World Health Organization benefits, especially when you consider
Taiwan's 23 million citizens outnumber the population of three-fourths
of WHO's member states. This lack of access to WHO protections has
caused the good people of Taiwan to suffer needlessly, such as in 1998
when a deadly, yet preventable, virus killed 70 Taiwanese children and
infected more than 1,100 others.
Madam Speaker, there is no good nor valid reason why Taiwan should be
denied at least observer status with the World Health Organization. As
a strong democracy and one of the world's most robust economies, Taiwan
rightfully should participate in the health services and medical
protections offered by the WHO. Conversely, the World Health
Organization stands to benefit significantly from the financial and
technological contributions that Taiwan has offered many times in the
past. This is particularly relevant at a time when the WHO's resources
shall be severely stretched to address the health crisis in a
rebuilding Afghanistan.
Madam Speaker, Congress has spoken out forcefully on this issue
before and we should stop the foot dragging. This legislation before us
mandates that the administration should develop and submit a detailed
plan of action to achieve this goal, observer status for Taiwan at the
May 2002 World Health Organization summit. I urge my colleagues to
adopt this worthy legislation.
Madam Speaker, Taiwan a couple of weeks ago was just admitted as a
member of the World Trade Organization and rightly so given the fact
that Taiwan is one of the leading economic powers in the Asia-Pacific
region and certainly with our own country. I am certain Taiwan will
also contribute substantially in terms of funding projects and
supporting scientific and health-related programs that are sponsored by
the World Health Organization.
Just last week we were privileged to visit with the Secretary General
of the Democratic Party of Taiwan as well as the chairperson of the
Taiwan Mainland Council. Both leaders demonstrated a keen understanding
of the issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region and more importantly a
demonstration of how democracy has advanced in the course of the past
10 years in this country.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise to voice my strong support for H.R.
2793, amending Public Law 107-10 to require a United States plan to
endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of
the World Health Assembly in May 2002. WHO has previously allowed
observers to participate in its past activities, including the
Palestine Liberation Organization, the Order of Malta, and the Holy
See.
As a founding member of the WHO, the Republic of China (Taiwan) had
participated for 24 years as a full member in WHO's programs and
activities, and made great contributions to the fulfillment of the
organization's objectives. Upon the admission of the People's Republic
of China (PRC) to the UN, Taiwan was forced to depart from the WHO in
1972. Taiwan, with a population of more than 23 million and more people
than 75 percent of the member states in the WHO, has been denied access
to the WHO.
Over the years, Taiwan has offered its resources, scientists, and
health practitioners to people in need around the world. Taiwan's
absence from the WHO system has become a missing link in the global
framework of health and medical care. It is long overdue that the world
unties Taiwan's hands so that the world may benefit by its Resources
and Special talents.
Accordingly, I strongly urge support for H.R. 2739, providing
observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization.
Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2739, which
would require the United States to take positive steps to ensure that
Taiwan is afforded an opportunity to participate in the World Health
Assembly in May 2002.
Taiwan, with its population of 23.5 million people, is a leader in
its region in public health, surpassing its Asian neighbors in life
expectancy and maintaining maternal and infant mortality rates
comparable to those in western countries. They have participated in
medical and humanitarian ventures, helping the people of El Salvador
when they were devastated by an earthquake in January. Furthermore, the
Taiwanese public health agency has demonstrated an interest in
collaborating with its counterparts in other nations, including the
United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a wide
range of public health issues. Taiwan has much to contribute to the
global community and it should not be arbitrarily precluded from
participating in the annual health assembly.
Earlier this year, the Congress passed legislation calling on the
United States Government to take affirmative action to endorse and
obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual World Health
Organization summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan is already a member
of international bodies, such as the Asian Development Bank and Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Observer status at the World
Health Organization is a logical next step. And, such observer status
is not unusual, having been granted for the PLO, the Order of Malta and
the Holy See in the past.
I am pleased that the President and Administration officials have
voiced their support for Taiwan's participation in the activities of
the World Health Organization. I encourage my colleagues to again show
their strong support for this proposal and to support this legislation
today.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2739, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend
Public Law 107-10 to authorize a United States plan to endorse and
obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World
Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland, and for other
purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________