Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 2739, which would require the United States to take positive steps to ensure that Taiwan is afforded an opportunity to participate in the World Health Assembly in May 2002. Taiwan, with its population of 23.5 million people, is a leader in its region in public health, surpassing its Asian neighbors in life expectancy and maintaining maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those in western countries. They have participated in medical and humanitarian ventures, helping the people of El Salvador when they were devastated by an earthquake in January. Furthermore, the Taiwanese public health agency has demonstrated an interest in collaborating with its counterparts in other nations, including the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a wide range of public health issues. Taiwan has much to contribute to the global community and it should not be arbitrarily precluded from participating in the annual health assembly. Earlier this year, the Congress passed legislation calling on the United States Government to take affirmative action to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual World Health Organization summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan is already a member of international bodies, such as the Asian Development Bank and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Observer status at the World Health Organization is a logical next step.”