[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.

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