STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1856

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 291

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 291 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION TO CONFER "OBSERVER STATUS" UPON TAIWAN IN ORDER TO PERMIT TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the World Health Organization to confer "observer status" upon Taiwan in order to permit Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization's programs and activities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

     The protection of the health and welfare of all peoples of the world depends greatly upon the World Health Organization.  Taiwan, although having a population of twenty-three million people, is not a member of the World Health Organization. Taiwan has expressed a desire and willingness to participate in the World Health Organization's programs and activities.

     Before Taiwan lost its membership in the World Health Organization in 1972 because of termination of its membership in the United Nations, Taiwan was a valuable contributing member of the World Health Organization.  If allowed to participate again, there is no doubt that Taiwan will serve as a productive member of the World Health Organization.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 291, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair