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Utah Senate urges U.S. to press for Taiwanobserver status at World Health Organization
Summary
The Utah Senate unanimously approved a resolution urging U.S. officials to support Taiwanparticipation in the World Health Organization as an observer, and hosted Taiwan iplomatic guests who addressed the chamber on public-health cooperation.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 20 passed Senate Resolution 3, urging the U.S. administration to support Taiwanseeking meaningful observer participation in the World Health Organization.
Sen. Bramble, sponsor of the resolution, described the measure as bipartisan and said it would help public-health cooperation. "This is a bipartisan resolution," Bramble said, adding that the measure enjoyed the support "of all 29 Utah senators." The resolution stresses that Taiwancould contribute technical and financial assistance to global disease-prevention efforts and urges U.S. officials and the WHO to find a way for Taiwan to participate without creating political friction.
Under suspension of the rules, the Senate read the resolution for second and third times and approved it on a 25-0 vote, with four senators absent. The resolution directs copies to the U.S. president, the U.S. secretary of state, the secretary of health and human services, congressional leaders, Utah's congressional delegation, the government of Taiwan and the World Health Organization.
Following the vote the Senate resolved into a committee of the whole and heard brief remarks from the Consul General of Taiwan. The consul general thanked the Senate for the vote and argued that public-health cooperation should "transcend political rhetoric," citing the 2003 SARS outbreak and current concerns about avian influenza. She said Taiwanwith a population of about 23,000,000has public-health achievements that make it a useful partner, and closed with a message of thanks to the Utah legislature: "May God bless the great state of Utah. God bless America. God bless Taiwan." (Speaker identified in the transcript only as the consul general of Taiwan.)
The resolution text, as read on the floor, notes that the WHO charter permits wide participation by non-member entities in certain activities and points to Taiwans public-health record and the risks to global surveillance posed by excluding technical contributors from international networks.
The Senate chair directed staff to sign and transmit the resolution following the vote; the consul general was thanked by the chamber before the Senate returned to its regular calendar.
