GRANTING OF OBSERVER STATUS AT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION TO THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN

WHEREAS, the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and the world's 16^th largest economy with a population of 23 million people; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the sole global organization that is dedicated to the "health of all;" and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has demonstrated a willingness to provide technical and financial assistance to international aid and health activities supported by WHO; and

WHEREAS, the world is in an age when the threat of bioterrorism is real and killer diseases can be transmitted around the globe in less than 24 hours; and

WHEREAS, the United States government has stated as policy before Congress: "Taiwan would be able to contribute and benefit from the work of the World Health Organization;" and

WHEREAS, President George W. Bush has written that the U.S. "Should find opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in international organizations in order to make a contribution, even if membership is not possible;" and

WHEREAS, Taiwan's population is larger than 3/4 of the member states of the World Health Organization, and Taiwan has made superior medical advances that improve life expectancy and maternal and infant mortality rates to the most favorable levels in Asia,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The United States Conference of Mayors supports the United States government policy that would grant observer status in the World Health Organization to the Republic of China on Taiwan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges WHO to act expeditiously on the request of Taiwan, so that its people may benefit from shared health information in the war against terrorism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States of America; the Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State; the Honorable Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services; the Honorable Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization; and the appropriate representative of the Republic of China on Taiwan.