HJR 28-TAIWAN:  TRADE & WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.  HELEN BEDDER,  aide to  Representative  Cheryl Heinze,  told                                                               
members that  HJR 28  urges Congress to  support the  granting of                                                               
official observer  status to  the Republic  of China  (Taiwan) at                                                               
the   World  Health   Assembly  annual   conference  in   Geneva,                                                               
Switzerland this  month. HJR  28 also  urges Congress  to support                                                               
the negotiation  of a free  trade agreement with the  Republic of                                                               
China.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  BEDDER  pointed  out this  resolution  also  authorizes  the                                                               
Alaska Legislature to encourage Congress  to endorse a request by                                                               
the  Republic of  China  to  be granted  observer  status at  the                                                               
annual conference.  It further authorizes the  Alaska Legislature                                                               
to  urge  Congress  to  encourage   the  Bush  Administration  to                                                               
negotiate a free trade agreement  with the Republic of China. She                                                               
informed members HJR 28 has a zero fiscal note.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  COWDERY mentioned  the  State  of Alaska  has  had a  good                                                               
working  relationship  with  Taiwan  and  has  a  state  employee                                                               
working there.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  GUESS  moved  to  pass  HJR 28  out  of  committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations and its attached fiscal note(s).                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR COWDERY  noted that without objection,  the motion carried.                                                               
He then adjourned the meeting at 9:52 p.m.