SR0595

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SENATE RESOLUTION


 

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

 

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

 

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

 
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    WHEREAS, There is an emerging disease that threatens a 
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pandemic of unprecedented proportions; avian influenza is the 
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link between a non-traditional threat and security that 
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requires us to place human lives at the center of discourse; 
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and
 

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

 

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

 

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    WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in the World Health 
 


 






SR0595
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LRB094 19453 LJB 55235 r




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Organization could bring
many benefits to the state of health 
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not only in Taiwan, but also regionally
and globally; and

 

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

 

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    WHEREAS, The United States Centers for Disease Control and 
7
Prevention and
its
Taiwanese counterpart have enjoyed close 
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collaboration on a wide range of
public
health issues; and

 

9
    WHEREAS, Illinois continues to acknowledge and appreciate 
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its important
economic, educational, and cultural ties with 
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Taiwan recognized through the
establishment of sister-state 
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relations with Taiwan since 1992; therefore, be
it

 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support Taiwan's 
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admission as an observer to the World Health Organization and 
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express the belief that the Republic of China (Taiwan) should 
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be permitted to participate in a meaningful and appropriate way 
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in the World Health Organization, especially in light of the 
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emerging threat in Southeast Asia of avian influenza; and be it 
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further

 

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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be sent 
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to World Health
Organization.