EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, Good health is a basic right for every citizen of the world

1-2 and access to the highest standards of health information and services is

1-3 necessary to help guarantee this right; and

1-4 Whereas, Participation in international health programs is crucial to

1-5 world health as the potential for the spread of various infectious diseases

1-6 increases proportionately with the increase in world trade and travel; and

1-7 Whereas, The World Health Organization set forth in the first chapter

1-8 of its charter the objective of attaining the highest possible level of health

1-9 for all people; and

1-10 Whereas, In 1977, the World Health Organization established "Health

1-11 for all by the year 2000" as its overriding priority and reaffirmed that

1-12 commitment in 1995 with the initiation of its "Health for All" renewal

1-13 process; and

1-14 Whereas, This country’s population of 21 million is larger than three-

1-15 quarters of the member states already in the World Health Organization

1-16 and Taiwan shares the noble goals of the organization; and

2-1 Whereas, The achievements of Taiwan in the field of health are

2-2 substantial, including one of the highest life expectancy levels in Asia,

2-3 maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those of western

2-4 countries, the eradication of such infectious diseases as cholera, smallpox

2-5 and the plague and the first country in the world to provide children with

2-6 free hepatitis B vaccinations; and

2-7 Whereas, Before its loss of membership in the World Health

2-8 Organization in 1972, Taiwan sent specialists to serve in other member

2-9 countries on countless health projects and its health experts held key

2-10 positions in the organization, all to the benefit of the entire Pacific region;

2-11 and

2-12 Whereas, Presently, this remarkable country is not allowed to

2-13 participate in any forums and workshops organized by the World Health

2-14 Organization concerning the latest technologies in the diagnosis,

2-15 monitoring and control of diseases; and

2-16 Whereas, In recent years, the government and the expert scientists and

2-17 doctors in the field of medicine of Taiwan have expressed a willingness to

2-18 assist financially or technically in international aid and health activities

2-19 supported by the World Health Organization, but these offers have

2-20 ultimately been refused; and

2-21 Whereas, According to the constitution of the World Health

2-22 Organization, Taiwan does not fulfill the criteria for membership; and

2-23 Whereas, Because the World Health Organization does not allow

2-24 observers to participate in the activities of the organization and considering

2-25 all of the benefits that such participation would bring, it is in the best

2-26 interests of all persons in this World that Taiwan be admitted to the World

2-27 Health Organization; now, therefore, be it

2-28 Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada,

2-29 Jointly, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature

2-30 do hereby urge President Clinton and the Congress of the United States to

2-31 support all efforts made by Taiwan of the Republic of China to gain

2-32 meaningful participation in the World Health Organization; and be it

2-33 further

2-34 Resolved, That the policy of the United States should include the

2-35 pursuit of an initiative in the World Health Organization that would ensure

2-36 such participation; and be it further

2-37 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a

2-38 copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice

2-39 President of the United States as the presiding officer of the Senate, the

2-40 Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of Health,

2-41 Education and Welfare, the World Health Organization, the Director

2-42 General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco and

2-43 each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further

3-1 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

3-2 approval.