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

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 550

Recognizing the ``Day of the African Child'' on June 16, 2009, devoted 
   to the theme of child survival and to emphasize the importance of 
        reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 16, 2009

 Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Lee 
 of California, Mr. Berman, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, and Mr. Boozman) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the ``Day of the African Child'' on June 16, 2009, devoted 
   to the theme of child survival and to emphasize the importance of 
        reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa.

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 five 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.
                                 <all>