[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 389 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 27, 2008.
Whereas, despite malaria being completely preventable and treatable and the fact 
        that malaria was eradicated from the United States over 50 years ago, 
        more than 40 percent of the world's population is still at risk of 
        contracting malaria;
Whereas more than one million people die from malaria each year, the vast 
        majority of whom are children under the age of five in Africa;
Whereas 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria occur annually;
Whereas every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, and more than 3,000 children 
        die from malaria every day;
Whereas 90 percent of deaths from malaria occur in Africa;
Whereas pregnant women living with malaria and their children are particularly 
        vulnerable: malaria is a major cause of complications during delivery, 
        anemia, and low birth weights;
Whereas malaria costs African countries an estimated $12 billion in lost 
        economic productivity each year;
Whereas heightened efforts to prevent and treat malaria are currently saving 
        lives;
Whereas funding for the control of malaria has increased tenfold since 2000 in 
        large part due to funding under the President's Malaria Initiative (a 
        United States Government initiative designed to cut malaria deaths in 
        half in target countries in sub-Saharan Africa), the Global Fund to 
        Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Bank, and new financing 
        by other donors;
Whereas in just 18 months, the President's Malaria Initiative has purchased over 
        one million artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT), protected 
        over three million people through spraying campaigns, and distributed 
        over one million insecticide-treated bed nets; the Global Fund to Fight 
        AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has distributed 18 million bed nets to 
        protect families from malaria and provided 5.3 million malaria patients 
        with ACTs; and the World Bank's Booster Program is scheduled to commit 
        approximately $500 million in International Development Association 
        funds for malaria control in Africa;
Whereas public and private partners are developing effective and affordable 
        drugs to treat malaria, with more than 23 types of malaria vaccines in 
        development;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vector 
        control, or the prevention of malaria transmission via anopheles 
        mosquitoes, which includes a combination of methods such as insecticide-
        treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and source reduction (larval 
        control), has been shown to reduce severe morbidity and mortality due to 
        malaria in endemic regions;
Whereas insecticide-treated bed nets have been shown to reduce all-cause 
        mortality by about 20 percent in community-wide trials in several 
        African settings;
Whereas in Africa, where 90 percent of malaria deaths occur, many of those 
        suffering most from malaria--the rural poor--cannot afford even the 
        modest cost ($5) of an insecticide-treated bed net;
Whereas a malaria-free future will rely on a comprehensive approach addressing 
        the range of health, development, and economic challenges facing 
        developing countries; and
Whereas April 25 of each year is recognized internationally as Africa Malaria 
        Day and in the United States as Malaria Awareness Day: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day; and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe this day 
        with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to raise awareness 
        and support to save the lives of those affected by malaria.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.