[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 550 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 550

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 30, 2009.
Whereas the ``Day of the African Child'' has been celebrated on June 16 each 
        year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organization of 
        African Unity;
Whereas the African Union has designated child survival as the theme of the 
        ``Day of the African Child'', June 16, 2009;
Whereas the African Union Heads of State and Government decided to make child 
        survival a theme of their 15th Ordinary Session in July 2010;
Whereas according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), sub-Saharan 
        Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to 
        survive;
Whereas every year in sub-Saharan Africa, 1.2 million babies die in the first 
        month of life and roughly 1 in every 6 children fail to reach their 
        fifth birthday, and the actual number of children under 5 years old 
        dying each year is increasing;
Whereas an estimated 9 out of 10 women in sub-Saharan Africa will lose a child 
        during their lifetime, and an estimated 700 women will die each day of 
        pregnancy-related causes;
Whereas the top five killers of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are 
        preventable diseases (neonatal causes, such as respiratory infections, 
        pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, and HIV/AIDS) which we know how to treat 
        and cure;
Whereas the high level of maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Africa 
        can be attributed, according to African Union Ministers of Health, to 
        weak health systems, a low level of skilled attendance at birth, poor 
        health infrastructure, and inadequate financial resources;
Whereas some sub-Saharan African countries have sustained high annual rates of 
        reduction in child mortality through strong political will, sufficient 
        investment, and concerted action;
Whereas over the past three decades, United States international child survival 
        and maternal health programs have helped save millions of lives in 
        Africa and elsewhere; and
Whereas last year the G8 Summit leaders, meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, stated on 
        July 8, 2008, ``We reiterate our support to our African partners' 
        commitment to ensure that by 2015 all children have access to basic 
        health care (free wherever countries choose to provide this).'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the ``Day of the African Child'';
            (2) affirms its solidarity to address the challenge of maternal, 
        newborn, and child mortality;
            (3) salutes the health professionals and community health workers on 
        the front lines in Africa who are extending health care and hope to 
        families across the continent; and
            (4) reaffirms the importance of United States partnership with 
        African leaders and communities in reducing child, newborn, and maternal 
        deaths from treatable and preventable causes.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.