[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  SARS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2003

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about 
the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan. 
Despite the World Health Organization's categorization of the disease 
as ``a worldwide health threat,'' it has refused to help Taiwan during 
this time of need.
  What the WHO has failed to realize is that ``worldwide health 
threats'' do not remain neatly behind political borders. Taiwan may not 
yet be a member of the WHO or a recognized independent state by some 
countries, but that does not make SARS any less of a threat to the 
Taiwanese people.
  This crisis underlines the need for Taiwan to be granted observer 
status in the WHO, much like their status in the World Trade 
Organization. Global health risks must be addressed wherever they may 
occur and regardless of the political environments surrounding them. We 
should not expose the Taiwanese people to unnecessary health risks 
simply because their status in some intergovernmental organizations is 
uncertain.
  I urge my colleagues to remain outspoken in their support of Taiwan's 
bid to gain observer status in the WHO so that dangerous diseases like 
SARS may be battled wherever they occur.

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