A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the MEMORY of chiang ching‑kuo, late PRESIDENT of the republic of china on TAIWAN, and expressing the belief that the republic of china on taiwan should be permitted to participate in a meaningful and appropriate way in the world health organization.
Whereas, good health is essential to every citizen of the world; and
Whereas, access to the highest standards of health information and services is necessary to improve public health; and
Whereas, direct and unobstructed participation in international health forums and programs is critical, especially with today's greater potential for the cross‑border spread of various infectious diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, and malaria; 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 people; 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 to provide children with hepatitis B vaccinations; 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, in recent years the Republic of China (ROC) has expressed a willingness to assist financially and technically international aid and health activities supported by the WHO; and
Whereas, ROC's population of twenty‑three million is larger than that of seventy‑five percent of the WHO member states; and
Whereas, the World Health Assembly has allowed observers to participate in the activities of the organization, including the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974, the Order of Malta, and the Holy See in the early 1950s; 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, Taiwan's participation in the WHO could bring many benefits to the state of health not only in Taiwan, but also regionally and globally; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of Chiang Ching‑kuo, former President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, whose policies helped accelerate democracy in the Republic of China on Taiwan.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly expresses its belief that the Republic of China on Taiwan should be permitted to participate in a meaningful and appropriate way in the World Health Organization.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the World Health Organization.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.