FILE NUMBER........

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

and access to the highest standards of health information and services is

necessary to help guarantee this right; and

Whereas, Participation in international health programs is crucial to

world health as the potential for the spread of various infectious diseases

increases proportionately with the increase in world trade and travel; and

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

of its charter the objective of attaining the highest possible level of health

for all people; and

Whereas, In 1977, the World Health Organization established "Health

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

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

process; and

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

quarters of the member states already in the World Health Organization and

Taiwan shares the noble goals of the organization; and

Whereas, The achievements of Taiwan 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 country in the world to provide children with

free hepatitis B vaccinations; and

Whereas, Before its loss of membership in the World Health

Organization in 1972, Taiwan sent specialists to serve in other member

countries on countless health projects and its health experts held key

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

and

Whereas, Presently, this remarkable country is not allowed to

participate in any forums and workshops organized by the World Health

Organization concerning the latest technologies in the diagnosis,

monitoring and control of diseases; and

Whereas, In recent years, the government and the expert scientists and

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

assist financially or technically in international aid and health activities

supported by the World Health Organization, but these offers have

ultimately been refused; and

Whereas, According to the constitution of the World Health

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

Whereas, Because the World Health Organization does not allow

observers to participate in the activities of the organization and considering

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

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

Health Organization; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada,

Jointly, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature

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

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

meaningful participation in the World Health Organization; and be it

further

Resolved, That the policy of the United States should include the

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

such participation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of

the United States as the presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the

House of Representatives, the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare,

the World Health Organization, the Director General of the Taipei

Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco and each member of the

Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

approval.

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