To address the participation of Taiwan in the World Health Organization.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4019) to address the participation of Taiwan in the World Health Organization, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4019, the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for his leadership in this effort to obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit held by the World Health Organization in May of each year. My colleague has spearheaded this campaign for many years, and I am pleased to join him once again.

I also want to thank Brett Gibson of the staff of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), who has done a great job working on this issue.

The people of Taiwan have a great deal to offer to the international community. It is terribly unfortunate that while Taiwan's achievements in the medical field are certainly substantial, and it has expressed the repeated willingness to assist both financially and technically in World Health Organization activities, it has not been allowed to do so because of the intransigence of the Communist Chinese Government.

It is a travesty that during times of crisis, such as the 1998 entovirus outbreak in Taiwan that killed 70 children and infected hundreds and hundreds more, the World Health Organization was unable to help. When an earthquake in 1999 claimed more than 2,000 lives, we learned in published reports that the Chinese Government, whose belligerent insistence that Taiwan be denied a role in international organizations, demanded that any aid for Taiwan provided by U.N. organizations and the Red Cross receive prior approval from the dictators in Beijing. And when the SARS outbreak killed so many in Taiwan last year, the PRC objected to WHO assistance for its neighbor.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has stated that the people of Taiwan deserve the same level of public health as citizens of every nation on earth, and we support them in their efforts to achieve it. We can show that support by adopting this legislation that would authorize the Secretary of State to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health assembly and introduce a resolution in support of observer status.

This legislation also makes permanent the reporting requirement mandating an account of our government's efforts at the assembly and the steps the Secretary will take to endorse and obtain observer status at the next meeting of the assembly.

In the face of the AIDS pandemic, the threat of bioterrorism, and vicious infectious diseases like avian flu, the need for international cooperation in public health matters has never been more critical.

But despite the danger of health threats stalking the world's population, 23 million residents of the island of Taiwan continue to be banned from participation in and cooperating with the work of the World Health Organization. Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Organization is not simply a political question, it is a question of humanity. It is an injury to the lives and well-being of the Taiwanese people, and a lost opportunity to defeat disease, humanity's common enemy.

Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that demands we put aside narrow political considerations in the interest of human welfare. It demands the attention of the international community, and it demands the attention of the United States. Beyond these humanitarian considerations that would apply to people anywhere in the world if granted observer status at the World Health Organization, Taiwan would be uniquely positioned to help strengthen the infrastructure of the international public health system.

The damage from the potential exclusion from World Health Organization does not stop at the island's shoreline. Taiwan's continued forced isolation from the world health community stands to impact the health of all of the countries in East Asia and the greater international community. Diseases do not recognize political boundaries, a fact demonstrated during the 2003 outbreak of SARS, as I mentioned previously. Taiwan's highly trained medical personnel, outstanding medical facilities and respected scientific community would be a tremendous resource to global health professionals working to combat disease. Furthermore, despite its arbitrary exclusion from the World Health Organization and the annual World Health Assembly in Geneva, Taiwan has made generous financial contributions to international efforts to improve public health throughout the world, including a $1 million donation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

In the context of such compelling arguments for Taiwan's participation in the global network of medical information and organizations represented by the World Health Organization, its continuing exclusion is illogical and dangerous. It is a reality that has been perpetuated through the threats and posturing of the People's Republic of China, a government whose outrageous behavior during last year's SARS epidemic clearly demonstrated an unwillingness to act responsibly in safeguarding the health of citizens on the mainland or Taiwan.

It is my hope and that of other cosponsors of this legislation that our government will take vigorous steps to immediately right this wrong. This legislation calls on the head of the American delegation at the World Health Organization to speak out forcefully on the floor of the World Health Assembly in support of the right of the people of Taiwan to meaningful participation in the international public health community.

The manager's amendment contains a modification on the bill as introduced. It extends beyond calendar year 2004 the authorization for the Secretary of State to seek observer status for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly and to report to Congress on the same.

I would conclude by thanking the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and his staff for leadership on this bill, and also the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who are cochairs of the Taiwan Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to recognize several of the staff who have been instrumental on bringing this forth today. On the majority side, I would like to recognize Sarah Tilleman and Dennis Halpin for their very hard work; and on the minority side, I would like to recognize and thank Paul Oostburg and Bob King for their service and the hard work they have put in to make this possible today.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend my colleague from Ohio, Sherrod Brown, for his persistence in pushing for Taiwan's observer status at the WHO. For many years he has successfully advocated for legislation to move this issue forward, and I want to congratulate him on his current efforts to do so.

I would also like to thank the Chairman of the Committee, my good friend from Illinois, for moving this legislation forward and to other members on his side of the aisle for their support.

Mr. Speaker, by battling the spread of infectious diseases and increasing the quality of health care to the global community, the World Health Organization makes a significant contribution to America's national security. As we meet today, the World Health Organization is attempting to prevent future outbreaks of the deadly SARS virus, implementing new strategies to stop the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, and teaching the developing world how to stop the transmission of tuberculosis.

Mr. Speaker, the fight for quality health care around the globe will never cease. As a result, the WHO and its member countries must look for help from every nation, and from every people, to strengthen the work of the organization. Unfortunately, strong and consistent opposition from the Chinese Government has repeatedly stopped the people of Taiwan from contributing to the work of the WHO.

I appreciate the willingness of President Bush to support Taiwan's bid for WHO observer status. But I fear that those who work for the President at the White House and the State Department are unwilling to make a concerted effort to make Taiwan's observer status a reality. While it is true that active, not simply passive, support for Taiwan's bid will upset Beijing, we must first focus on promoting America's own national interest.

It is true that observer status for Taiwan will not come easy. Beijing holds sway over many WHO members. But the facts in support of Taiwan's case are clear, and support will undoubtedly build over time with active American engagement.

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is one of America's strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and is a beacon of democracy for people around the world. Taiwan also has the money and expertise to make a significant contribution to the work of the World Health Organization. The case for Taiwan at the WHO is clear, and I hope that the Bush Administration will actively seize on this critically-important matter.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4019.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I again join the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) in urging Congress to authorize the U.S. to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly, the meeting of the World Health Organization, set for next month, May of 2004, in Geneva.

I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) and especially the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for their hard work and dedication to world public health. H.R. 4019 is another important step in fulfilling the commitment that we in this country made in the 1994 Taiwan policy review to more actively support Taiwan's membership in organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. We should continue to support Taiwan in international bodies. We should continue to advocate for Taiwan to be represented in the WHO.

There are more reasons today to support this bill than there were last year even. Those reasons are SARS and the avian flu outbreaks. How much more limited would the effect of SARS worldwide have been if Taiwan's government had been fully engaged in the work of the World Health Organization? How much more quickly would the disaster have been contained if China had not covered up the outbreak and Taiwan could have stepped forward?

Excluding the people of Taiwan from the WHO violates the basic premise of the WHO to enjoy the attainment of the highest standard of health ``is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.''

Last year the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, caused 73 people in Taiwan to die. This

year, avian influenza has reemerged in Asia, has been reported in China and Cambodia, Indonesia and Japan, Laos, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. SARS and the avian influenza continue to threaten Taiwan. The case has never been stronger for allowing the people of Taiwan access to the WHO. As globalization quickens, and as the spread of infectious disease accelerates, it is crucial that the people of Taiwan be given the opportunity to participate in international health organizations such as WHO.

This bill authorizes Secretary of State Powell to endorse and help obtain observer status for Taiwan at the week-long health summit of the WHA, and authorizes the State Department to introduce a resolution on the floor of the WHA in support of Taiwan's participation in the organization. The bill directs the State Department to submit a plan to Congress on how to accomplish this objective.

Taiwan has eradicated smallpox, cholera, polio, and achieved infant mortality rates on a par with Western, wealthy nations. These accomplishments warrant an invitation to participate in international policy health discussions, to sit at the table with scientists and physicians and other public health experts in all these countries.

With a population of 23 million people, Taiwan is larger than 75 percent of the countries which actually belong to the WHO. Taiwan is prepared to contribute meaningfully to the global health efforts discussed at the WHA, but without observer status, its delegates cannot even enter the room. This bill would prevent the international community from missing out on the insight and experience Taiwanese health officials can offer. This bill is good for the 23 million people in Taiwan, and it is also good for the rest of the world because of the expertise that Taiwanese health officials bring to the table.

I urge my colleagues to support access to the WHO for the 23 million people of democratic Taiwan and support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization (WHO). It is once again time for Congress to stand up for a democratic Taiwan.

Secretary Powell has noted before the International Relations Committee that there should be ways for Taiwan to enjoy full benefits of participation in international organizations without being a member. H.R. 4019 only calls for the Secretary of State to initiate a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status at the WHO for Taiwan.

Time and time again in recent years, Congress has passed similar legislation to provide for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. Yet time and time again, Taiwan has been thwarted from joining this international organization because of objections from the People's Republic of China. This most recently occurred last May at the World Health Assembly in Geneva; even after Congress enacted legislation authorizing the U.S. Government to implement a plan for Taiwan to obtain observer status.

In recent years. Taiwan has expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically in international aid and health activities supported by the WHO, but has been unable to render such assistance because Taiwan is not a member of the WHO. Last year's SARS outbreak in Asia should have made it perfectly clear how important it is to allow Taiwan to participate in the WHO. Taiwan offered to work with the WHO yet was denied; only later were two WHO experts dispatched to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the WHO has allowed observers to participate in the activities of the organization, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the Knights of Malta, and the Vatican.

Along with many of my colleagues, I am extremely disappointed that Taiwan is not a full member of the U.N. and all international organizations that its democratically led government wishes to join. Although this resolution does not go anywhere near far enough to address this concern, it is a first step in addressing the problem that Taiwan faces.

Therefore, I urge every member of this House to support a democratic Taiwan by supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, April 21, I was in my district in New Jersey attending services associated with the funeral of LT John Wroblewski (United States Marines) of Jefferson Township. On rollcall No. 121, H.R. 3970--Green Chemistry Research and Development, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 122, H.R. 4030-- Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 123 H.R. 3147--James V. Hansen Federal Building Designation, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 124 H.R. 4019--To address the participation of Taiwan in the WHO, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 125--H.R. 1779, Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, today, during rollcall vote No. 121 on H.R. 3970, I was unavailable for the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' During rollcall vote No. 122 on H.R. 4030, I was unavailable for the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

During rollcall vote No. 123 on H.R. 3147, I was unavailable for the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' During rollcall vote No. 124 on H.R. 4019, I was unavailable for the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

During rollcall vote No. 125 on H.R. 1779, I was unavailable for the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''