[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1704-H1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN AT WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY IN MAY 2003 IN 
                          GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 441) 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 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 441

       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:
       ``(14) The government of Taiwan, in response to an appeal 
     from the United Nations and the United States for resources 
     to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, donated $1,000,000 to the 
     Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.''.
       (b) Plan.--Section 1(b)(1) of Public Law 107-10 (115 Stat. 
     17) is amended by striking ``May 2002'' and inserting ``May 
     2003''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam 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 the bill under 
consideration.

[[Page H1705]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to express my strong support for this legislation, Madam 
Speaker. My friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), has worked 
long and hard to make Taiwan's participation in the WHO a reality, and 
we also want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for 
his leadership in this area as well. As in years past, I am pleased to 
join with them in this effort.
  The good people of Taiwan have a great deal to offer the 
international community. It is terribly unfortunate that even though 
Taiwan's achievements in the medical fields are substantial, and it has 
expressed a repeated willingness to assist both financially and 
technically in WHO activities, it has not been allowed to do so because 
of strenuous opposition from the Communist Chinese dictatorship.
  My colleagues may recall the travesty that occurred back in 1998, 
when Taiwan suffered from a serious entovirus outbreak which killed 70 
Taiwanese children and infected more than a thousand.

                              {time}  1500

  The WHO was unable to help.
  In 1999, a tragic earthquake in Taiwan claimed more than 2,000 lives. 
Sadly, we learned in published news reports that the People's Republic 
of China demanded that any aid for Taiwan provided by the United 
Nations and the Red Cross receive prior approval from the dictators in 
Beijing. Yet when other nations face similar crises, Taiwan stands 
ready to help.
  Our friends in Taiwan were among the first to offer assistance to the 
victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our Nation. They 
provided generous humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. 
They have been leaders in addressing global health issues and as this 
legislation notes, ``The government of Taiwan, in response to an appeal 
of the United Nations and from the United States for resources to 
control the spread of HIV/AIDS, donated $1 million to the Global Fund 
to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.''
  Madam Speaker, many of us have been disappointed by our government's 
lack of effort to assist Taiwan in its attempts to obtain WHO observer 
status at the annual World Health Assembly in Geneva. We have expressed 
our concerns to the State Department, and most recently, a bipartisan 
group of 64 Members of this body sought the personal assistance of 
Secretary Powell in this matter. We are hopeful that our delegation to 
the upcoming Geneva conference will stand strongly in favor of Taiwan's 
candidacy.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and also the gentleman from 
Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for his prompt consideration of this bill in 
the Committee on International Relations. We have been working quite 
some time for this, and I thank Members for continuing to work on this 
important issue. I urge adoption of this legislation.
  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 strongly support H.R. 441, and urge all of my 
colleagues to do so as well. I would like to commend my colleague, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for his persistence in pushing for 
Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Organization. I also wish 
to acknowledge the chairmanship of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde) on this critically important subject, and that of the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Madam Speaker, by battling the spread of infectious diseases and 
increasing the quality of health care to the global community, the 
World Health Organization makes a significant contribution to our 
national security. As we meet in this Chamber today, the WHO is dealing 
with an outbreak of Ebola in Africa, implementing new strategies to 
stop the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, and teaching the 
developing world how to stop the transmission of tuberculosis.
  Madam Speaker, the fight for quality health care around the globe 
will never cease. As a result, the World Health Organization and its 
member countries must look for help from every nation to strengthen the 
work of the organization. Unfortunately, strong and consistent 
opposition from the Chinese government in Beijing has repeatedly 
stopped the people of Taiwan from contributing to the work of the WHO.
  It is true that observer status for Taiwan will not come easy. 
Beijing holds sway over many WHO members, but the facts in support of 
Taiwan's case are clear and compelling, and support will undoubtedly 
build over time with active American engagement. Taiwan is one of our 
strongest allies in the Asia Pacific region. It is a beacon of 
democracy for people around the globe.
  Taiwan has the resources and the expertise to make a significant 
contribution to the work of the World Health Organization. The case for 
Taiwan as a member of WHO is clear and compelling, and I hope our 
administration will actively support this important initiative. I 
strongly support H.R. 441. I urge all of my colleagues to do so as 
well.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today, I join my colleagues in support 
of H.R. 441 authorizing a U.S. plan to endorse and obtain observer 
status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in 
May 2003 in Geneva. I want to thank Congressman Sherrod Brown for his 
continued commitment to this cause.
  The Constitution of the World Health Organization states, ``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.'' Taiwan's 
participation in the organization advances this principle.
  Taiwan has made many positive contributions that benefit our country 
and help the international community attain the health goals set by the 
World Health Organization. Advancing Taiwan's participation in the WHO 
would provide the people of Taiwan more opportunities to participate in 
international health initiatives.
  Taiwan's willingness to come to the aid of the people of El Salvador 
in the wake of the devastating earthquake in January 2001 is indicative 
of their commitment to global health. In the days following the 
earthquake, the Taiwanese government sent 2 rescue teams that included 
emergency, medical and engineering specialists to assist in the rescue 
and recovery efforts. In addition, the Taiwanese government donated 
$200,000 in relief aid to the Salvadoran government.
  The WHO Constitution also states, ``the health of all peoples is 
fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent 
upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and States.'' In advancing 
the participation of Taiwan in the WHO, we are increasing global 
cooperation to address the pressing health concerns of our time. I 
strongly commend H.R. 441 to my colleagues and urge its passage.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 441, and I 
would like to thank my colleagues on the International Relations 
Committee and the Congressional Taiwan Caucus for their support as 
well.
  For the past few years, we have been pushing for Taiwan's observer 
status at the WHO. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starting 
to experience deja-vu on this issue. Congress has addressed this 
several times, and I will continue to raise it until we have a 
resolution.
  The World Health Organization makes a major contribution to the 
international community each and every day. The WHO has programs to 
stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, to support 
the development of basic health care services throughout the developing 
world, and to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.
  In this growing struggle, the WHO and its member countries should be 
looking for help wherever they can get it. Unfortunately, Taiwan's 
efforts to obtain observer status to the annual World Health Assembly 
meetings in Geneva have been blocked.
  While the Administration has indicated support for Taiwan's bid for 
WHO observer status, it is unwilling to match the rhetoric with action. 
The State Department argues that the majority of WHO members would 
never support observer status for Taiwan, and therefore the U.S. 
shouldn't make a concerted effort on Taiwan's behalf. Well I say, let's 
find out.
  The Administration must make a concerted effort to ensure Taiwan's 
participation in the WHO. The bid may fail, but Taiwan won't be allowed 
to participate if we do not make the case of its involvement.
  Taiwan is a strong, democratic ally. It has developmental and 
humanitarian resources that would make a substantial contribution to

[[Page H1706]]

the WHO's mission. The people of Taiwan are volunteering these 
resources to fight global epidemics, and we are turning them away at 
the door. They have demonstrated this time after time--in Haiti; in El 
Salvador; and more recently by contributing a million dollars to the 
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The world needs all the help 
it can get. Taiwan is not asking to join the WHO as a state, but rather 
as an observer. The case for observer status at the WHO is clear, and 
the Bush Administration should make it happen.
  I strongly support H.R. 441, and urge my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support to H.R. 441, a 
bill to authorize the United States to seek observer status for Taiwan 
within the World Health Organization (WHO).
  Every May, the World Health Assembly meets to consider the acceptance 
of new members to the WHO. Unfortunately, even as Taiwan is among the 
leaders in Asia in important health indicators, such as life expectancy 
and infant mortality, it is unable to contribute to the WHO.
  While nationhood is a membership requirement, the WHO does provide 
observer status to such entities as the Vatican, the Knights of Malta, 
and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. As a self-governing and 
democratic island of twenty-three million people, and as a potential 
member with a great deal to contribute to the WHO, I strongly support 
WHO observer status for Taiwan.
  As we once again approach the annual World Health Assembly, I urge 
Secretary Colin Powell and Secretary Tommy Thompson to work with our 
friends around the world to obtain WHO observer status for Taiwan. I 
urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 441.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 441, a bill endorsing observer status for Taiwan at the annual 
summit of the World Health Organization in May 2003. I thank my good 
friend, Mr. Brown of Ohio, for introducing the bill, and I look forward 
to voting for it.
  Madam Speaker, over the years, this body has been divided on a 
variety of foreign policy issues. What the House has not been divided 
on, however, is its support for Taiwan, especially as it pertains to 
its status in the World Health Organization. The fact remains that 
Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO not only hurts Taiwan, but also the 
entire international community.
  The WHO's constitution states that ``the enjoyment of the highest 
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, the constitution of the WHO has been 
disregarded when the inclusion of Taiwan in the WHO, even at observer 
status, has been laid on the table. This time for this to change is 
now.
  Few recall that Taiwan was an original member of the WHO, 
participating as a full member from 1948 until 1972. The United 
Nations' 1972 decision to award Taiwan's seat to the People's Republic 
of China resulted in Taiwan's replacement at the WHO. Since then, 
Taiwan has sought to be readmitted into the WHO at the same time it has 
built one of the world's most dynamic free market economies and become 
a leading technological and scientific population.
  Tragically, the world community has never fully benefited from the 
medical advancements made by Taiwanese doctors and scientists because 
Taiwan lacks WHO membership. Taiwan enjoys one of the highest life 
expectancy rates in Asia, has relatively low infant and maternal 
mortality rates, and has eradicated major infectious diseases such as 
cholera, smallpox, and polio. Additionally, Taiwan's government was the 
first in the world to provide children with free hepatitis B 
vaccinations. Until the international community recognizes that each 
country in the world will benefit multi-fold from Taiwan's inclusion in 
the WHO, political pressure from the People's Republic of China will 
trump the spread of Taiwan's medical advancements.
  Madam Speaker, health has no borders, and certainly neither does 
disease. Taiwan's 23 million citizens suffer every single time relief 
is delayed simply because Taiwan is not a part of the WHO. Likewise, 
the world community suffers each time its access to Taiwan's medical 
advancements is limited for the same reason.
  Taiwan's readmittance to the WHO is long overdue. With passage of 
this bill today, the State Department is again given the necessary 
tools to push forward on Taiwan's request. H.R. 441 is not a political 
statement against the People's Republic of China. Instead, it is 
recognition of opportunity for the entire world community. The 
successes of Taiwan's medical experts must no longer remain locked in a 
chamber of politics, and access to these ideas must be extended to all 
countries.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill. May we all look forward to 
a day when Taiwan is admitted back into the World Health Organization, 
an organization it helped build 55 years ago.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 441, 
a resolution to authorize a United States plan to endorse and obtain 
status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in 
May 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland.
  In response to an appeal from the United Nations and the United 
States, the government of Taiwan donated $1,000,000 to the Global Fund 
to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Taiwan has also been a 
sovereign state since its founding in 1912. Although China has 
exercised control over Taiwan, Taiwan is a democratic and free society 
duly elected by the people.
  As a sovereign state, Taiwan has acceded to the World Trade 
Organization and, despite the PRC's objections, I believe it is time 
for Taiwan to also obtain status as a member of the World Health 
Organization.
  I fully support the intent of H.R. 441 and I also urge my colleagues 
to support his bill.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 Ohio (Mr. Chabot) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 441.
  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. CHABOT. Madam 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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