U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher: Announces donation of 100,000 surgical grade masks from Taiwan

Contact: Jordan Dunn
GREEN BAY, WI — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today announced the donation of 100,000 surgical grade masks for the state of Wisconsin from Taiwan. The donation comes after Gallagher had multiple conversations with Taiwanese officials about working together to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. Taiwan has set a global standard for Coronavirus response and has offered support to a number of areas in the United States, including New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
“Today, I am proud to announce that Taiwan will be delivering 100,000 surgical grade masks to Wisconsin,” said Rep. Gallagher. “I am tremendously grateful for the hard work of Ambassador Stanly Kao, Vincent Chao, and the entire team at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Affairs Office, along with President Tsai for helping to secure this generous donation. Wisconsin is a place where common sense is a common virtue, and Wisconsinites understand well both their friends and their foes. It is clear that Wisconsin and the United States have few better friends than Taiwan, and I look forward to deepening American engagement with our fellow democracy in the years to come.
On behalf of TECO in Chicago, which represents Taiwan in the US Midwest, I deeply appreciate Wisconsinite leaders’ longtime support for Taiwan-US and Taiwan-Wisconsin relations. Taiwan stands with Wisconsin to combat the COVID-19 pandemic together as friends and as a team,” said Eric Huang, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.
“This is very welcome news. We need these masks and other material in our hospitals and clinics today as the health care system begins emerging from this pandemic. We very much appreciate the ongoing efforts of Congressman Gallagher who has been working across the pollical aisles, and now across the ocean, to assist Wisconsin,” said Eric Borgerding, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
The Governor will have the discretion to decide where the supplies will be distributed once they are delivered.
Background:Rep. Gallagher has for weeks been working to get additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers and first responders on the frontlines of the fight against Coronavirus. On March 30, Rep. Gallagher announced the beginning of a PPE Drive in partnership with Brown County Public Health that has since raised nearly 30,000 gloves, 150 masks, and 150 medical gowns. The drive is ongoing, and if individuals wish to donate they should call Rep. Gallagher’s office at 920-301-4500 or email WI08donations@gmail.com.