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Dear
Representative_______________:
On February
6, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced H.R. 428 "Concerning
the participation of Taiwan in the World Health Organization."
The resolution now has 26 co-sponsors.
It underscores
the fact that while good health care is a basic right for
every citizen of the world and access to the highest standards
of health information and services is necessary to help
guarantee this right, Taiwan's 23 million people have been
denied such access.
The
bill asks that the Secretary of State initiate a U.S. plan
to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the
annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in
May 2001 and instruct the U.S. delegation to Geneva to implement
such a plan. It also mandates a written report to Congress
containing this plan.
I believe
this mandate for a plan is necessary because the State Department
has been unresponsive to Congress on this issue in the past.
On June 25, 1999, the House passed HR1794, requiring a report
to the Congress from the Secretary of State, regarding "efforts
of the Secretary to fulfill the commitment made in the 1994
Taiwan Policy Review to more actively support Taiwan’s participation
in international organizations." The bill was subsequently
passed by the Senate.
The
State Department's January 2000 report detailed the PRC's
objections to Taiwan's participation in the WHO but showed
no U.S. leadership on Taiwan's meaningful and appropriate
participation in the organization, as called for by HR1794.
The
time has come for a supportive U.S. policy on Taiwan's participation
in the WHO. Therefore, I hope you will co-sponsor this bipartisan
legislation.
Please
co-sponsor this important resolution by calling Arlan Fuller
at Congressman Brown’s office at 225-3401.
Thank
you for your support of Taiwan. We will continue to be in
touch with you on Taiwan policy issues.
Sincerely,
Name
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