Text: Amendment Proposed Regarding 2002 World Health Assembly
(H.R. 2739 obliges U.S. to aid Taiwan gain observer status)The Congressman who successfully worked to pass a bill earlier this year regarding a United States plan to obtain observer status for Taiwan at the 2001 annual summit of the World Health Assembly (WHA) is busy working to update that law so the United States will have sufficient time to try to get Taiwan observer status at the May 2002 WHA in Geneva.
Representative Sherrod Brown (Democrat of Ohio), who submitted H.R. 428 regarding Taiwan's 2001 participation in the assembly associated with the World Health Organization (WHO), saw that legislation become Public Law 107-10.
On August 2, Brown introduced H.R. 2739, which would amend the law to focus on the May 2002 WHA.
The proposed legislation notes that President Bush has written that his administration "has focused on finding concrete ways for Taiwan to benefit and contribute" to the World Health Organization.
Following is the text of the proposed amendment:
(begin text)
To amend Public Law 107-10 to require a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva
Introduced in the House
HR 2739 IH
107th CONGRESS
1st SessionH. R. 2739
To amend Public Law 107-10 to require a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2001
Mr. BROWN of Ohio (for himself and Mr. CHABOT) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To amend Public Law 107-10 to require a United States plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC LAW 107-10.
(a) FINDINGS- Section 1(a) of Public Law 107-10 (115 Stat. 17) is amended by adding at the end the following:
'(12) On May 11, 2001, President Bush stated in his letter to Senator Murkowski that the United States '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', further stating that his Administration `has focused on finding concrete ways for Taiwan to benefit and contribute to the WHO.'.
'(13) On May 16, 2001, as part of the United States delegation to the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Secretary of Health and Human Service Tommy Thompson announced the Administration's support of Taiwan's participation in the activities of the WHO.'.
(b) PLAN- Section 1(b)(1) of Public Law 107-10 (115 Stat. 17) is amended by striking 'May 2001' and inserting 'May 2002'. (end text)
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