[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1026-E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ``GLOBAL ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS PREVENTION, AWARENESS, 
                 EDUCATION, AND TREATMENT ACT OF 2001''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2001

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, the time has come once again for the United 
States to lead the world in surmounting one of the most compelling 
humanitarian and moral challenges of our time. I speak of the HIV/AIDS 
pandemic that threatens the stability of both the developing and 
developed world--a crisis unparalleled in modern times.
  The statistics are chilling, Mr. Speaker. Over 22 million people have 
died of AIDS throughout the world. More than 3 million died last year 
alone. That is over 8,000 deaths each day, or nearly one death every 
six minutes. What is most alarming is that the number of infections and 
deaths is growing and the pandemic is quickly spreading from sub-
Saharan Africa to India, China, and Russia. An incredible 36 million 
people are infected with HIV today--and 15,000 new infections occur 
each day. Tragically, most of the dramatic increase in infection rates 
is in poor countries where education, awareness, and access to 
healthcare is seriously lacking. To illustrate the magnitude of the 
crisis, it is estimated that by the year 2010 over 80 million people 
could be dead of AIDS. That is more than all the military and civilian 
deaths during World War II.

[[Page E1027]]

Unchecked, we have no idea what the statistics will be in 2015 or 
2220--less than 20 years from today.
  Children suffer inordinately from the cruel AIDS pandemic. Millions 
are born HIV-infected even though mother-to-child transmission can be 
easily avoided if adequate training and healthcare is provided. By the 
end of the decade, 40 million children will be orphaned as a 
consequence of AIDS. The impact on developing societies--socially, 
politically, and economically--is incalculable and threatens the 
stability of the globe.
  The pandemic is not limited to Africa, Mr. Speaker. The Caribbean 
region has the second highest rate of HIV infections in the world--only 
a few hundred miles from the United States. Russia had the highest 
increase rate of any country last year. The social upheaval that could 
arise in Russia as a result of this crisis could have serious 
consequences for global security. According to the National 
Intelligence Council, India is on the verge of a catastrophic AIDS 
epidemic.
  For these reasons, the United States must lead the world in the 
effort to combat and ultimately rid the globe of this modern-day black 
plague. The problem is monumental, and our response needs to be both 
bilateral and multilateral. However, as with any problem, financial 
resources are not the sole answer to a problem, and the generosity of 
the American people must be well managed. We must provide resources at 
a pace at which they can be absorbed and used wisely. We must continue 
to encourage and support faith-based organizations and churches that 
are doing good works to educate the poor about HIV and AIDS. We must 
also insist that other developed nations join us in this global effort. 
The President has already signaled our nation's intention to lead by 
committing $200 million for a multilateral effort to combat HIV/AIDS 
through a global AIDS war chest that will be designed and implemented 
in the months to come.
  To support these efforts, I have introduced legislation today to 
address both the bilateral and multilateral pillars of our response to 
the AIDS crisis. The most immediate and important step to address the 
HIV/AIDS challenge is for the United States to provide the leadership 
and impetus for a major international effort.
  Consequently, my bill authorizes the Agency for International 
Development to carry out a comprehensive program of HIV/AIDS 
prevention, education, and treatment at a level of $469 million in each 
of the next two fiscal years. This is $100 million more than has been 
requested by the Administration for these purposes in Fiscal Year 2001. 
Moreover, my legislation authorizes an additional $50 million pilot 
program to provide treatment for those infected with HIV/AIDS by 
assisting the public and private sectors of developing countries in the 
procurement of HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals and anti-viral therapies. 
Accordingly, through our bilateral efforts, the United States will 
demonstrate its commitment to address all facets of the HIV/AIDS 
challenge and to do so in a responsible and meaningful manner, and 
thereby challenge, the remainder of the developed world to emulate the 
example of the United States.
  The bill I have introduced today also authorizes the President to 
contribute to multilateral efforts to combat HIV/AIDS at a level that 
the Administration deems appropriate. America will contribute its fair 
share as we work to leverage additional funds for this crusade from 
other developing countries. By providing the President with this 
flexibility, we can ensure that the contributions made by the
  The novel bilateral treatment program that my bill authorizes is 
vitally important, for it gives hope for those already suffering from 
AIDS. By authorizing a pilot treatment program, we can work to extend 
the productive lives of those infected by the virus. This is not only 
the right thing to do--aside from humanitarian concerns--treatment 
makes prevention work. Without some expectation of hope or care, the 
poor have no reason to be tested for AIDS or to seek help. I am fully 
cognizant of the challenge posed by treatment programs in developing 
countries. However, we have no other option if we are ever to stem the 
tide of the pandemic.
  The bill that I have introduced today also promotes microenterprise 
development as a crucial component in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. 
Microenterprise gives the poor who must deal with HIV/AIDS the means to 
help themselves. I wish to highlight the work in this area by 
Opportunity International, one of the organizations among my 
constituency. Opportunity International is a microenterprise pioneer 
and leader that has helped to create one million jobs for the poor of 
the developing world over the past thirty years by making loans to 
small enterprises.
  Charles Dokmo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Opportunity 
International, is an expert in the field of microenterprise development 
and is working to implement an ambitious plan to combat the spread of 
AIDS in Africa through education, awareness, and by creating 
opportunities for those confronting HIV/AIDS.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to reiterate what I think is a consensus in 
Congress. Simply stated, the AIDS virus is one of the great moral 
challenges of our era for it is a scourge of unparalleled proportions 
in modern times. Every citizen has a stake in what tragically could be 
the black plague of the 21st century. Accordingly, we should do all we 
can to meet this test by reaching out now to those most in need--it is 
the right thing to do for our children, our country, and our world. Let 
us not fail the challenge.

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