PRINTER'S NO. 223
No. 50 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY THOMAS, FEBRUARY 8, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
FEBRUARY 8, 2005
A RESOLUTION
1 Commending Taiwan on its contributions to promote world health;
2 and for other purposes.
3 WHEREAS, Good health is essential to every citizen of the
4 world, and access to the highest standards of health information
5 and services is necessary to improve public health; and
6 WHEREAS, The World Health Organization has, as set forth in
7 its charter, the objective of attaining the highest possible
8 level of health for all people; and
9 WHEREAS, Taiwan's population of 23,500,000 people is larger
10 than that of three quarters of the member states already in the
11 World Health Organization; and
12 WHEREAS, Taiwan's achievements in the field of health are
13 substantial, including one of the highest life expectancy levels
14 in Asia, maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those
15 of western countries, eradication of such infectious diseases as
16 cholera, smallpox and plague and being the first Asian nation to
17 eradicate polio and provide children with hepatitis B
1 vaccinations; and
2 WHEREAS, The United States Centers for Disease Control and
3 Prevention and its Taiwanese counterpart have enjoyed close
4 collaboration on a wide range of public health issues; and
5 WHEREAS, In recent years Taiwan has expressed a willingness
6 to assist financially and technically in international health
7 activities supported by the World Health Organization; and
8 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the United States
9 Congress has adopted and approved a resolution which calls for
10 Taiwan to become a part of the World Health Organization; and
11 WHEREAS, The 2003 outbreak of SARS and subsequent deaths
12 represents a perfect example of why Taiwan needs to become a
13 part of the World Health Organization; and
14 WHEREAS, Direct, unobstructed participation in international
15 health forums and programs is critical to limit the spread of
16 various infectious diseases and achieve world health; therefore
17 be it
18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the
19 efforts of Taiwan in support of world health and extend its
20 support to Taiwan's wishes to be an observer in the World Health
21 Assembly; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
23 Andrew Hsia, Director General of the Taipei Economic and
24 Cultural Office in New York and Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland,
25 Director General of the World Health Organization in Geneva.
A31L82DMS/20050H0050R0223 - 2 -