Legislature(2001 - 2002)
05/11/2002 11:40 AM Senate STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
May 11, 2002
11:40 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gene Therriault, Chair
Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chair
Senator Rick Halford
Senator Ben Stevens
Senator Bettye Davis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 50
Supporting the participation of Taiwan in the annual summit of
the World Health Assembly.
MOVED HJR 50 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
HJR 50 - No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
David Brewster
Alaska State Capitol, Suite 418
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HJR 50
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 02-02-31, SIDE A
CHAIRMAN GENE THERRIAULT called the Senate State Affairs
Committee meeting to order at 11:40 a.m. Present were Senators
Davis, Stevens, Halford and Chairman Therriault. Senator Phillips
arrived shortly.
HJR 50-SUPPORT TAIWAN IN WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
DAVID BREWSTER, Legislative Aide to Representative Lesil McGuire,
introduced HJR 50 as a pressing issue. Speedy passage would allow
the resolution to be transmitted to the Taiwan Economic and
Cultural Office in Seattle, Washington so they can attend the
annual World Health Assemblies annual summit in Geneva,
Switzerland.
Taiwan has made substantial achievements in the field
of public health while demonstrating a willingness to
provide technical and financial assistance to
international aid and health activities supported by
the World Health Order (WHO). During the last seven
years, Taiwan has contributed $100 million to 78
countries. A WHO membership is vital to Taiwan in order
to gain access to the latest information on epidemics
and diseases. While Taiwan has been able to indirectly
acquire health information, it is often a case of "too
little, too late."
He noted there were copies of both U.S. Senate and House
resolutions as well as four other state's resolutions supporting
Taiwan in the WHO.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT noted there was also a letter from President
Bush to Senator Frank Murkowski urging the United States to find
opportunities for Taiwan's voice to be heard in international
organizations.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked why the committee was involved with the
bill.
MR. BREWSTER replied friends from the Taiwan Economic and
Cultural Office contacted Speaker Brian Porter's office and asked
if there would be anyone willing to write a resolution for their
participation. Speaker Porter contacted Representative McGuire
because she chairs the Economic Development Trade and Tourism
Committee.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked if it was the federal government.
SENATOR STEVENS suggested he read the last two pages in the
packet.
MR. BREWSTER said the U.S. House passed a resolution in 2001 and
the U.S. Senate passed a similar resolution in 2002.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT said the federal government expressed support
and the Taiwanese are going to others in the Pacific Rim for
similar support.
SENATOR PHILLIPS didn't think Alaska should be involved.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT said the resolution is to convince WHO not
the U.S. Congress.
MR. BREWSTER said we would be showing our support to the WHO for
Taiwan to be increased to the level of observer. Currently they
aren't allowed in any of the hearings.
Several years ago, over 80 people died in Taiwan because of an
epidemic. If Taiwan had been a member those people probably
wouldn't have died.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked how Alaska is directly or indirectly
affected by the resolution.
MR. BREWSTER replied Alaska isn't affected beyond expressing its
support.
SENATOR PHILLIPS thought this was more appropriate for the U.S.
Congress and not an appropriate role for the Alaska State
Legislature. He thought this was a federal issue and he didn't
support passing the resolution.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT commented it is simply expressing support for
one of our largest trading partners.
There was no prepared CS and there were no amendments offered.
There was one zero fiscal note.
He asked for the will of the committee.
SENATOR DAVIS made a motion to move SJR 50 and attached fiscal
note from committee with individual recommendations.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT called a brief at ease at 11:47 a.m. before
members voted.
He called the meeting back to order at 11:49 a.m. Senator Bettye
Davis made a motion to move HJR 50 and attached fiscal note from
committee with individual recommendations.
SENATOR PHILLIPS objected.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked for a roll call vote.
Senators Davis, Stevens, Halford and Chairman Therriault voted
yes and Senator Phillips voted no.
HJR 50 moved from committee with attached fiscal note and
individual recommendations.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the Senate
State Affairs Committee meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|