HJR 48-TAIWAN STATUS AND PRESIDENT CHAIR ROKEBERG announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 48, Sending a message of goodwill to President Chen Shui-bian, and reaffirming the Alaska State Legislature's 2003 resolution urging the United States Congress to support the granting of official Observer Status to the Republic of China and to support negotiation of a free trade agreement with the Republic of China. Number 250 MIKE PAWLOWSKI, Staff to Representative Cheryll Heinze, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 48 on behalf of the House Special Committee on Economic Development, International Trade and Tourism which requested the legislation of the House Rules Standing Committee. He explained that HJR 48 is a reaffirmation of Legislative Resolve 29, which passed both bodies unanimously last session. The resolution encourages the Republic of China on Taiwan to be granted Observer Status with the World Health Organization. The resolution also encourages the United States Congress to negotiate a free trade agreement with the Republic of China on Taiwan. Moreover, the resolution sends a message of goodwill to President Chen Shui-bian on his reelection. MR. PAWLOWSKI turned to the amendment in the committee packet. He explained that the amendment would provide clarification by shortening the technical name of the Republic of China on Taiwan to Taiwan where appropriate. In response to Chair Rokeberg, Mr. Pawlowski confirmed that he had checked this with the protocol officers of the U.S. State Department. Number 269 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ inquired as to why a message of goodwill is being sent to President Chen Shui-bian rather than the people [of the Republic of China on Taiwan]. MR. PAWLOWSKI highlighted that President Chen Shui-bian has been and continues to be a very good friend of the State of Alaska, and therefore this resolution is specific to the president on his reelection. REPRESENTATIVE McGUIRE moved that the committee adopt Conceptual Amendment 1, as follows: Page 1, line 1, after "President Chen Shui-bian"; Insert "and the people of the Republic of China on Taiwan" MR. PAWLOWSKI said he didn't believe [Representative Heinze would have any problem with Conceptual Amendment 1]. There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 295 REPRESENTATIVE McGUIRE moved that the committee adopt Amendment 2, which read [original punctuation provided]: Page 1 line 3: add on Taiwan following "China" Page 1 line 4: add on Taiwan following "China" Page 1 line 7: add on Taiwan following "China" Page 1 line 11: delete [the Republic of China, in] Page 1 line 14: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 1: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 Line 4: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 9: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 12: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 13: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 16: delete [the Republic of China] and insert Taiwan Page 2 line 25: add on Taiwan following "China" Page 2 line 28: add on Taiwan following "China" Page 2 line 31: add on Taiwan following "China" There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. Number 299 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to report HJR 48, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR 48(RLS) was reported from the House Rules Standing Committee.