Assembly Joint Resolution No. 15–Assemblymen Dini, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams

 

May 31, 2001

____________

 

Joint Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

____________

 

Declared an Emergency Measure

 

SUMMARY—Urges President and Congress to support participation of Taiwan of Republic of China in World Health Organization. (BDR R‑1536)

 

FISCAL NOTE:                     Effect on Local Government: No.

                     Effect on the State: No.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

Assembly Joint RESOLUTION—Urging the President and the Congress of the United States to support the participation of Taiwan of the Republic of China in the World Health Organization.

 

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

2-1     whereas, In 1977, the World Health Organization established “Health

2-2  for All by the Year 2000” as its overriding priority and reaffirmed that

2-3  commitment in 1998 by endorsing a new global health policy “Health for

2-4  All in the 21st Century”; and

2-5     whereas, Taiwan’s population of 21 million is larger than three-

2-6  quarters of the member states already in the World Health Organization,

2-7  and the country shares the noble goals of that organization; and

2-8     whereas, The achievements of Taiwan in the field of health are

2-9  substantial and include one of the highest life expectancy levels in Asia,

2-10  maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those of western

2-11  countries, the eradication of such infectious diseases as cholera, smallpox

2-12  and the plague, and the distinction of being the first country in the world to

2-13  provide children with free hepatitis B vaccinations; and

2-14     whereas, Before its loss of membership in the World Health

2-15  Organization in 1972, Taiwan sent specialists to serve in other member

2-16  countries on countless health projects and its health experts held key

2-17  positions in the organization, all to the benefit of the entire Pacific region;

2-18  and

2-19     whereas, Presently, this remarkable country is not allowed to

2-20  participate in any forums and workshops organized by the World Health

2-21  Organization concerning the latest technologies in the diagnosis,

2-22  monitoring and control of disease; and

2-23     whereas, In recent years, the government and the expert scientists and

2-24  doctors in the field of medicine of Taiwan have expressed a willingness to

2-25  assist financially or technically in international aid and health activities

2-26  supported by the World Health Organization, but these offers have

2-27  ultimately been refused; and

2-28     whereas, According to the constitution of the World Health

2-29  Organization, Taiwan does not fulfill the criteria for membership; and

2-30     Whereas, Because the World Health Organization does not allow

2-31  observers to participate in the activities of the organization and

2-32  participation by Taiwan would bring tremendous benefits, it is in the best

2-33  interests of all persons in this world that Taiwan be admitted to the World

2-34  Health Organization; now, therefore, be it

2-35     Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

2-36  Jointly, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada Legislature

2-37  do hereby urge President Bush and the Congress of the United States to

2-38  support all efforts made by Taiwan of the Republic of China to gain

2-39  meaningful participation in the World Health Organization; and be it

2-40  further

2-41     Resolved, That the policy of the United States should include the

2-42  pursuit of an initiative in the World Health Organization that would ensure

2-43  such participation; and be it further

2-44     Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit

2-45  a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice

2-46  President of the United States as the presiding officer of the Senate, the

2-47  Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of Health and

2-48  Human Services, the World Health Organization, the Director General of

3-1  the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco and each

3-2  member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further

3-3     Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage.

 

3-4  H