[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3061) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes:

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the 
H.R. 3061.
  I believe this bill represents a good bipartisan effort which focuses 
on priorities many good programs that will benefit our nations and its 
citizen.
  This bill also contains provisions which will be crucial in our 
efforts to rebuild the nation's confidence during the difficult days 
since the events of September 11, 2001.
  I want to also express my appreciation to the chairman and the 
ranking Appropriations Committee and the Chairman and Ranking Member of 
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations 
Subcommittee, who had the responsibility of crafting this legislation 
and included provisions for the global fight against HIV/AIDS, 
tuberculosis and malaria.
  These provisions will expand funding for our global HIV/AIDS, 
tuberculosis and malaria efforts on the African continent, and in 
developing countries throughout the world.
  As many of you know, more than two years ago, I began to work with my 
colleagues to build a bipartisan and bicameral coalition to raise the 
level of attention and expand the United States response to the global 
AIDS crisis.
  Although we can and must do more to fight this killer disease, the 
provisions funded in this bill provide proof that with leadership and a 
strong will to bring relief to those who need it most, we can and will 
work together toward eradicating the global scourge of AIDS from the 
face of the earth.
  We all know that HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria continue to ravage Africa 
and developing countries throughout the world.
  Each day, over 17,000 people die each day from AIDS, tuberculosis and 
malaria worldwide! Our nation is leading the global fight against these 
infectious diseases. However, we can and must do more.
  We have only reached the tip of the iceberg in the global AIDS crisis 
and it is compounded by TB and malaria mortality rates. It is clear 
that our fight must continue.
  Without an expanded and coordinated response, the CDC, international 
AIDS experts and health experts indicate that new HIV infections, 
alone, will rise to 100 million by the year 2007. Already over 50 
million people have been infected worldwide--over 70% of those 
infections are in sub-Saharan Africa.
  Once the global AIDS fund is operational, it will support a wide 
range of interventions, from education and prevention to the 
procurement of HIV/AIDS/TB related drugs and commodities, including 
antiretroviral agents in situations where their use can be effectively 
managed, and anti-malaria interventions such as insecticide-treated bed 
nets.
  The goal is to have the global fund in operation with the capacity to 
manage resources and procure essential drugs and commodities by early 
2002. To maximize the global fund's impact, the funds should be used 
for results-based programs that specifically increase the number of 
people covered by the direct provision of drugs, other commodities and 
services to beneficiaries in countries severely affected by these 
diseases.
  The fact that techniques which prevent the spread of HIV infection 
exist, and that drugs exist that can substantially reduce the rate of 
mother-to-child transmission and prolong the lives of people who are 
infected, makes it incumbent on us to immediately utilize whatever 
budgetary mechanisms are available.
  The funding provided in this bill moves us closer to that goal.
  It is for these reasons that I support this legislation and urge my 
colleague to also support it.

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