[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING TAIWAN FOR ITS HANDLING OF SARS

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Taiwan for its efforts in 
effectively addressing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). 
Taiwan has done an admirable job of dealing with this new, global, and 
fatal disease.
  Taiwan's response to SARS has far outpaced many of its neighbors in 
that region of the world. It has been forthright about the problem and 
has worked with the international community to stem the spread of this 
deadly disease.
  Quoting Dr. Scott Dowell, Director of the International Emerging 
Infections Program in Thailand, Center for Disease and Control and 
Prevention, ``the health authorities in Taiwan were taking 
unprecedented measures to respond to the outbreak, and we thought that 
they were doing a very good job. . . . They were quite capable in doing 
that in Taiwan, and we were encouraged by the lack of transmission to 
healthcare workers during the first weeks we were there.''
  Even more remarkable is that Taiwan has responded so effectively to 
this global problem without being a member of the World Health 
Organization (WHO). Because of its lack of statehood, Taiwan, home to 
nearly 24 million people, has been denied membership status in the 
organization. This made it even more difficult for health experts to 
gather important information about SARS on the island and highlights 
the need for Taiwan to receive observer status at the WHO.
  In a relatively short period of time, SARS has shown that it knows no 
borders. When infecting people, this disease does not stop at man-made 
borders. Thus, I would call on the World Health Organization and its 
members to grant observer status to Taiwan so that they can be properly 
integrated into the global health network. The SARS outbreak is a stark 
reminder of the importance of working with the entire international 
community in finding solutions to global problems like the spread of 
disease. Failing to do so prolongs the problem and puts more people at 
risk.
  Mr. Speaker, the leaders of Taiwan have worked hard on their own and 
with the international community to detect and treat SARS. As such, its 
leaders are worthy of receiving our recognition today.

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