[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TAIWAN'S STATUS IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

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                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2006

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, with a population of 23 million people, 
Taiwan is a democracy and a global economic power, yet it is not a 
member of the United Nations. In January of this year a proposal failed 
concerning Taiwan's World Health Assembly observer status during the 
World Health Organization's Executive Board meeting in Geneva. I am 
concerned that with the outbreak of SARS and ongoing concerns related 
to the possible human-to-human transmission of H5Nl Bird Flu, Taiwanese 
membership in international health entities should be considered with a 
greater sense of urgency.
  I urge the Administration to take steps to allow entry of Taiwan into 
all relevant international health organizations to ensure the best 
possible response to any potential future health outbreaks that could 
ultimately invade the United States and detrimentally impact Americans. 
Despite not being a member of the World Health Organization, Taiwan has 
declared its voluntary early compliance with all provisions of the 
International Health Regulations (2005).
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the Administration to encourage key leaders of 
other nations to resume talks with Chen Shui-Bian as soon as possible.

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