SR0595 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0595 LRB094 19453 LJB 55235 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Good health is essential to every citizen of the world and access to the highest standards of health information and services is necessary to improve public health; 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 the people of the world; 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 provide children with hepatitis B vaccinations; and

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

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

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

WHEREAS, Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization could bring many benefits to the state of health not only in Taiwan, but also regionally and globally; 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, 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, Illinois continues to acknowledge and appreciate its important economic, educational, and cultural ties with Taiwan recognized through the establishment of sister-state relations with Taiwan since 1992; therefore, be it

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

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