[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

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                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2506) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2002, and for other purposes:

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the 
Lee-Leach Global HIV/AIDS Amendment to the Foreign Operations 
Appropriations bill, which will increase the United States' 
contribution to the international AIDS trust fund from $100 million to 
$160 million.
  In June 1981, scientists reported the first evidence of a disease 
that would become known as AIDS. Twenty years later, the AIDS pandemic 
has spread to every corner of the world. Almost 22 million people have 
already lost their lives to the disease, and over 36 million people are 
currently infected with the HIV virus. The numbers are indeed 
staggering.
  Yet, the consequences of the AIDS pandemic extend far beyond the 
death tolls. The AIDS pandemic is much more than just a health crisis. 
It is a social crisis, an economic crisis, and a political, crisis. 
AIDS knows no borders, and respects no boundaries.
  A world with AIDS is a world in chaos. Imagine growing up without 
parents, without teachers. Imagine living in a community with no 
options for work, no options for education, no mentors or civic leaders 
to help mold the community's youths into productive members of society. 
Imagine living in a world where people have no reason to plan for the 
years ahead, no reason to want to better themselves or improve society. 
This is the world of AIDS. This is the world we live in.
  As the world's greatest nation--the nation that is most admired, most 
respected, and most powerful--we must take a leading role in the fight 
against AIDS. We must demonstrate to the global community the depth of 
our compassion, the breadth of our courage, and the strength of our 
commitment to the greater good. To do otherwise would be irresponsible 
and inhumane. Therefore, I wholeheartedly Support the Lee-Leach Global 
HIV/AIDS Amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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