HR1280 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1280 LRB095 20920 GRL 49853 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Good health is essential to every citizen of the world and access to the highest standards of health information and services is necessary to improve public health; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization (WHO) set forth in the first chapter of its charter the objective of attaining the highest possible level of health for all the people of the world; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of China's achievements in the field of health are substantial, including one of the highest life expectancy levels in Asia, maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those of western countries, the eradication of such infectious diseases as cholera, smallpox and the plague, and the first to eradicate polio and provide children with hepatitis B vaccinations; and

WHEREAS, In recent years the Republic of China has expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically in international health activities supported by the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, Direct, unobstructed participation in international health forums and programs is essential to limit the spread of various infectious diseases, including SARS and Avian Flu, and improve world health; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization could bring many benefits to the state of health not only in Taiwan, but also regionally and globally; and

WHEREAS, The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy review, declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in appropriate international organizations; and

WHEREAS, The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Taiwanese counterpart have enjoyed close collaboration on a wide range of public health issues; and

WHEREAS, Illinois continues to acknowledge and appreciate its important economic, educational, and cultural ties with Taiwan recognized through the establishment of sister-state relations with Taiwan since 1992; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support Taiwan's participation as a member of the World Health Organization; until that occurs, Taiwan needs to be accepted as an observer in the World Health Assembly (WHA); and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be sent to United States Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Director General of the World Health Organization Dr. Margaret Chan, and Director General Thomas Cheng of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.