[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           ERADICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS ON A WORLD-WIDE BASIS

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, as you know, infectious diseases are 
needlessly killing millions of people every year and cost the global 
community billions in healthcare costs and lost revenue. Diseases such 
as Tuberculosis (TB) are on the rise around the world, and due to their 
infectious properties, are threatening the health and welfare of 
Americans. TB cannot be stopped at our national borders and the only 
way to eliminate TB here at home is to control it abroad. In fact, 
according to the National Intelligence Council, new and reemerging 
infectious diseases will pose a rising global health threat and will 
complicate U.S. and global security over the next twenty years. We must 
take action to address these dangers now.
  I feel strongly that Congress should make a significant investment in 
low-cost, high-impact programs like TB control. Mr. Speaker for just 
$20 to $100 invested in a quality TB program, a life can be saved. This 
is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available today. 
In FY2001, Congress provided $60 million for international TB control, 
a solid step towards addressing this killer. More must be done this 
year. Fifteen million people in the U.S. are infected with the TB 
bacteria, and nearly two million people perish world-wide each year. In 
addition, eight million people are afflicted with this disease annually 
and every second of every day, someone in the world is infected with 
the disease.
  TB is the biggest killer of people with AIDS, and TB rates have 
skyrocketed in sub-Saharan Africa due to the AIDS/TB co-epidemics. 
Direct Observed Therapy treatment or ``Dots'' is one of the most cost-
effective ways to prolong and improve the lives of people with HIV. As 
we increase resources for HIV and AIDS, it makes sense to increase 
funding for TB control as well.
  If we do not act promptly, new deadly drug-resistant strains of TB 
and rising HIV rates will make TB very difficult or impossible to 
control. I have asked that we provide $200 million in the FY2002 
foreign aid budget for the international TB control program.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of Congress from a international borer city, 
I know the importance of combining TB at our borders. Now is the time 
to combat tuberculosis and eradicate this horrible disease before it 
begins more impacting our population.

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