[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12734]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING TAIWAN ON OBTAINING OBSERVER STATUS IN WORLD HEALTH 
                                ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 18, 2009

  Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Taiwan on its 
participation as an observer in the 62nd annual World Health Assembly 
(WHA), which is taking place in Geneva this week. The recent H1N1 
influenza outbreak serves as yet another reminder that international 
cooperation is vital to protecting against the spread of infectious 
diseases. In order to achieve this goal, it is important to have broad 
participation in the activities of the World Health Organization (WHO), 
and I commend the WHO for inviting Taiwan to assist in carrying out its 
mission.
  Taiwan is a key trading partner for the United States and the fifth 
largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural exports. With growing 
attention to ensuring the safety of the food supply in a global 
economy, our close economic ties with the people of Taiwan present 
another compelling argument for Taiwan's involvement in the WHA. 
Furthermore, I believe the Taipei delegation will bring a valuable 
perspective to the WHA in light of Taiwan's remarkable success in 
advancing the public health of its people.
  This Congress has repeatedly passed legislation promoting Taiwan's 
meaningful participation in the WHO, and I am encouraged to see these 
efforts finally come to fruition. I am especially pleased that this 
development comes in the context of steady improvement in relations 
between Taipei and Beijing, and I applaud officials on both sides of 
the Taiwan Strait for their efforts to pursue peace and stability in 
the region.
  I look forward to increased cooperation among Taiwan, the United 
States, and other members of the international community to share 
public health information and guard against global pandemics.

                          ____________________