Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Mr. Royce, for offering this bill, or the opportunity to offer this bill. I would also like to say I, too, support H.R. 535, the Taiwan Travel Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3320, a bill that directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization. I would like to give particular thanks to Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and Ranking Member Sherman for supporting this bill and working with me to advance it through the committee process. Mr. Speaker, over the last few years, the People's Republic of China has stepped up its campaign to marginalize Taiwan. Last year, Beijing poached one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic partners, the Republic of Panama. Beijing also successfully blocked Taiwan from participating in a number of international organizations, including the World Health Organization. Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Organization's annual summit, the World Health Assembly, serves no purpose other than to placate Beijing. The WHO exists to address shared transnational health challenges, and Taiwan has proven, time and time again, that it is a model contributor to world health. Since 1996, Taiwan has invested over $6 billion in international medical and humanitarian aid efforts impacting over 80 countries. It has made significant financial contributions to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.…”