[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 112 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO SENATOR DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2000

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a 
man who has served as one of the most determined and effective 
advocates for America's hard working families in the United States 
Senate. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was first elected to the Senate 
in 1976, and has served the people of New York as well as the entire 
country with commitment, leadership and integrity. As the Ranking 
Member on the Senate Finance Committee, he has pioneered for new 
initiatives to feed our nation's poor, to provide critical welfare and 
job training services to families in need, and to ensure that everyone 
has access to quality health care. Senator Moynihan has been 
particularly committed to an issue I know well: AIDS.
  As many of my colleagues know, since the moment I first stepped foot 
in Washington, I have fought for increased funding for critical HIV and 
AIDS education, treatment and research programs. I have also worked to 
expand our current programs to areas that are still in need of our 
help. Africa, India, the Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe in 
particular need our help and Senator Moynihan has heard this call to 
action.
  Senator Moynihan introduced S. 2032 to amend the Foreign Assistance 
Act to address mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Africa, Asia and 
Latin America. At the same time, I introduced H.R. 4665 to initiate a 
$10 million pilot project in Africa and India to reduce and prevent 
mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission. I am extremely pleased that H.R. 
3519, the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, was signed 
into law by the President on August 19 and included much of the 
language and intent of my International Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS 
Prevention Bill. With this legislation, we can commit $25 million to 
this cause.
  Worldwide, 1,800 infants become infected with HIV each day. The total 
number of births to HIV-infected pregnant women each year in developing 
countries is 3.2 million. HIV/AIDS has doubled infant mortality in poor 
countries most heavily affected by the epidemic. We have hit a critical 
point where we must take action in the world's epicenter of HIV 
infection. We must act now if we ever hope to end this epidemic once 
and for all.
  I thank Senator Moynihan for his leadership on this serious public 
health issue and on so many issues affecting our women and children.

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