[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1059]]
                TAIWAN'S ENTRY AS AN OBSERVER TO THE WHO

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                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this week, the World Health 
Organization met in Geneva to discuss its agenda and the tentative 
observer status of Taiwan into the Organization. This meeting came on 
the heels of a terrible outbreak now known as Severe Acute Respiratory 
Syndrome (SARS).
  The people of Taiwan are courageously and resiliently combating this 
dreadful epidemic. Although their efforts have not gone unheard in the 
halls of Congress, as my colleagues and I have fought for H.R. 441 and 
final passage of S. 243, other nations that do not respect basic human 
rights have opposed the entry of Taiwan into the WHO.
  SARS has dreadfully demonstrated to all nations that epidemics do not 
have borders. Unlike its neighbor to the North, Taiwan is an open and 
transparent nation that has committed its efforts to truthfully 
divulging the impact of SARS on its population.
  The entry of Taiwan as an observer to the WHO will give its people a 
superior chance in combating this evil malady. Nations that support 
freedom, a democratic and transparent form of government must support 
Taiwan's observer status to the World Health Organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the 
people of Taiwan for the profound loss they are experiencing due to the 
malevolence known as SARS and reiterate my full support for Taiwan's 
entry as an observer to the WHO.

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