With a total of 87 co-sponsors, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed HCR390 today concluding that "it is the sense of the Congress that— (1) Taiwan and its 23,000,000 people deserve appropriate meaningful participation in the United Nations and other international organizations such as the World Health Organization; and (2) the United States should fulfill the commitment it made in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review to more actively support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations."

The resolution was introduced on July 27 by a bi-partisan group of over 40 Members of the House of Representatives.

Introducer Bob Schaffer (R-CO) has stated: "I was pleased to introduce HCR390 to recognize the legitimacy of Taiwan's presence in the international community. Taiwan, as a democratic nation should be afforded the privilege of membership in the United Nations."

According to FAPA President Wen-yen Chen: "Since FAPA started its "UN for Taiwan" campaign on September 26, 1992, FAPA has always insisted that Taiwan should 1. - be a member of the U.N. under the name of "Taiwan" and 2. join the UN as a NEW member. FAPA does not want to see a reinstatement of old ROC membership even though the ROC was the first signatory of the UN charter when the UN was founded in June 1945."

Chen concludes: "It is ironic to note that U.S. Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke complains, as reported by the Washington Times this morning, about the fact that United States membership dues to the UN are too large, stating that "the U.N. must leave behind the unhealthy practice of placing excessive reliance on a single contributor." All this while Taiwan is waiting in the wings to join the UN and contribute its fair share and membership dues to the organization....." "With every single day that passes the situation of leaving Taiwan out of the United Nations becomes more and more untenable."

Chen continues: "Passing this resolution will send a strong message to the international community that the 23 million people of Taiwan are eager to fully join the family of nations. Of course, Taiwan deserves and should ultimately have full U.N. membership as an independent country. But seeing this resolution passed, is, nonetheless, a big leap forward."