[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING TAIWAN'S MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as a long-time friend of Taiwan in the United 
States Congress, and as a member of the 140-member strong bi-partisan 
Congressional Taiwan Caucus I rise today to urge my colleagues to join 
me in supporting an issue I and my Taiwanese American constituents care 
deeply about.
  I am a supporter of Taiwan's full membership in international 
organizations such as the United Nations. Why? Because I believe it is 
an anomaly that the country of Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, 
is not represented in the United Nations and its affiliated 
organizations.
  I believe that we, the United States, instead of supporting 
``meaningful participation'' for Taiwan in international organizations, 
should instead actively support and promote full membership for Taiwan 
in international organizations such as the WHO.
  Health knows no boundaries. Diseases do not stop at the borders of 
countries. Over the years, Taiwan has been affected by the H1N1 flu. In 
2003, Taiwan was struck by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory 
Syndrome, or SARS. A total of 60 people died.
  It is therefore imperative that Taiwan joins the WHO as a full 
member, so that the 23 million people of Taiwan can and will have 
access to the highest level of health information and knowledge.
  Not only that, but medical professionals in Taiwan will be able to 
fully contribute their extensive knowledge and expertise to the WHO, to 
the benefit of the entire global health community.
  I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Taiwan's full 
and equal membership in the United Nations, and in all other 
international organizations including the World Health Organization.

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