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S.J.R. 5

This document includes Senate 2nd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM by rday. -->              1     

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENTIAL

             2     
SUPPORT OF TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN

             3     
SPECIALIZED AGENCIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS

             4     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             5     
STATE OF UTAH

             6     
Chief Sponsor: Michael G. Waddoups

             7     
House Sponsor: Rebecca D. Lockhart

             8     

             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Obama Administration to support the
             12      efforts of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to meaningfully participate in the specialized
             13      agencies of the United Nations.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This resolution:
             16          .    urges the Obama Administration to support the Republic of China (Taiwan) in
             17      obtaining appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of the
             18      United Nations system, including the World Health Organization.
             19      Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21     

             22      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             23          WHEREAS, the mission of the United Nations, as stated in the preamble to the United
             24      Nations Charter, is to "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of
             25      the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small";
             26          WHEREAS, similarly, Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states,
             27      "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms . . . , without distinction of any kind . . .



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             28
     no distinction shall be made on the basis of political, jurisdictional or international status of the
             29      country or territory to which a person belongs . . . ";
             30          WHEREAS, the global issues addressed by the specialized agencies of the United
             31      Nations are closely connected to the well-being of all mankind;
             32          WHEREAS, as Taiwan cannot attend the conferences, mechanisms, and activities of
             33      the specialized agencies, the welfare of its people, as well as the interests of all humankind,
             34      have been seriously jeopardized;
             35          WHEREAS, Taiwan has been campaigning for participation in the World Health
             36      Organization (WHO) for years, but has been unable to establish direct access to and
             37      communication with the WHO regarding disease prevention;
             38          WHEREAS, Taiwan is restricted from attending WHO technical conferences and
             39      activities and as a result Taiwan can neither acquire the latest medical and health updates nor
             40      receive timely assistance when epidemics occur, as was the case with the SARS outbreak;
             41          WHEREAS, as early as May 2006, Taiwan announced its decision to comply
             42      voluntarily with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) that went into effect June 15,
             43      2007;
             44          WHEREAS, although Taiwan has repeatedly submitted updates to the WHO about
             45      various diseases, the WHO has not responded;
             46          WHEREAS, this has been detrimental to the health rights of the 23 million people of
             47      Taiwan and foreigners residing in and traveling to Taiwan;
             48          WHEREAS, it also creates a weakness in the global epidemic surveillance network
             49      which can harm the international community;
             50          WHEREAS, being the world's 18th largest economy and the 20th largest outbound
             51      investor, Taiwan possesses significant economic strength;
             52          WHEREAS, Taiwan hopes to share its development experience with many developing
             53      nations;
             54          WHEREAS, Taiwan is also willing to give back to the world through humanitarian
             55      assistance and technical cooperation;
             56          WHEREAS, the issues that the specialized agencies of the United Nations system
             57      handle tend to be functional and technical in nature; and
             58          WHEREAS, allowing Taiwan's participation with these specialized agencies would be



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Senate 2nd Reading Amendments 2-19-2009 rd/jlw
             59
     helpful for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to set aside differences and strengthen
             60      cooperation on issues of mutual concern, thereby gradually reducing friction and promoting
             61      stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region:
             62          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
             63      urges the Obama Administration to support Taiwan and its 23 million people in obtaining
             64      appropriate and meaningful participation in the specialized agencies of the United Nations
             65      system, including the World Health Organization.
             66          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges that United States policy
             67      include the pursuit of an initiative in the specialized agencies of the United S. [ States ] Nations .S              67a      system, such
             68      as the World Health Organization, which would give Taiwan meaningful participation in a
             69      manner that is consistent with the respective organization's requirements.
             70          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
             71      the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human
             72      Services, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States
             73      House of Representatives, the members of Utah's congressional delegation, the Government of
             74      Taiwan, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-29-09 11:59 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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