[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                            WORLD HEALTH DAY

  (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we celebrate World Health Day. 
Unfortunately, though, too many of the world's women have no cause for 
celebration. Nearly 600,000 women die each year from pregnancy and 
childbirth-related complications. That is one woman every minute.
  For every maternal death that occurs worldwide, an estimated 30 
additional women suffer pregnancy-related health problems.
  More than 150 million married women in developing nations still want 
to space or limit childbearing, but do not have access to modern 
contraceptives.
  Yet, despite these startling statistics, the U.S. commitment to 
women's health remains woefully inadequate.
  That is why I, along with 31 of my colleagues, support legislation to 
increase the U.S. commitment to women's health by $300 million as part 
of our legislation, the Global Health Act 2000.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3826, the Global Health Act of 2000, authorizes $1 
billion in additional resources to improve children's and women's 
health and nutrition, provide access to voluntary family planning, and 
combat the spread of infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS.
  Mr. Speaker, by passing the Global Health Act, the United States 
would make a giant leap forward in promoting access to healthcare for 
millions of the world's women. I hope we all can keep this in mind as 
we observe World Health Day tomorrow.

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