Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 137, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support Congress's plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the Annual Summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that because of the potential for the rapid spread of diseases, the fight against infectious diseases requires comprehensive monitoring and rapid response on a global scale. Your Committee has heard that Taiwan is willing and takes pride in contributing to international relief efforts when other people are in need. To exclude Taiwan from the World Health Organization, which is the only forum mandated to direct and coordinate global health matters, would deny a fundamental right to health matters, as well as pose a threat to world health.

Your Committee notes that this plan has received widespread support from members of the United States Congress and President Bush, as well as the European Parliament.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 137, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.