LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION supporting the meaningful participation of Taiwan
in the activities of the United Nations specialized agencies, including
observer status in the World Health Assembly (WHA)

WHEREAS, The State of New York and Taiwan have enjoyed a long history of
friendship and have maintained fruitful sister-state relationships; and
WHEREAS, New York City is home to a large and thriving Taiwanese
community, one of the largest Taiwanese populations of any city in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Although the United States and Taiwan do not currently have a
free trade agreement, both nations maintain and enjoy one of the most
important economic and strategic relationships that exist today; and
WHEREAS, New York State exported over $1.51 billion worth of products
to Taiwan in 2008, a 32% increase from 2007, making Taiwan the 16th
largest foreign market for New York State; and
WHEREAS, As a full-fledged democracy and robust free market economy,
Taiwan shares with the United States the principles and values that
provide a strong foundation for mutually beneficial relations; and
WHEREAS, Good health is essential to every citizen of the world, and
the World Health Organization (WHO) set forth, in the first chapter of
its charter, the objective of attaining the highest possible level of
health for all people; and
WHEREAS, The government and people of Taiwan have been actively
engaged in medical assistance and humanitarian relief in countries in
Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean region; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan has strongly expressed the willingness and economic
capability to contribute to the international aid and health activities
supported by the WHO; and
WHEREAS, May 18, 2009, is an historic date being that it was the first
time Taiwan participated in the World Health Assembly; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to support the participation
of Taiwan in the role of observer status for the first time in the World
Health Assembly at its Annual Summit; and
WHEREAS, This arrangement reflects genuine concern and good will
toward Taiwan and promotes the peaceful development of cross-straits
relationships; and
WHEREAS, Diseases know no borders; the global community cannot afford
to leave Taiwan out in the international battle against the swine flu;
and
WHEREAS, The United States government has long supported meaningful
participation for Taiwan in UN specialized agencies, including observer
status in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the supreme governing body of
the WHO; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
support a closer economic partnership between New York State and Taiwan,
and to endorse Taiwan's meaningful participation in the activities of
the United Nations specialized agencies, including observer status in
the WHA; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Barack H. Obama, President of the United States; the United
States Department of State; the United States Department of Health and
Human Services; to each member of the New York State Congressional
delegation; and the World Health Organization.