[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4873-S4874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 275--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE
UNITED STATES SHOULD RENEW ITS COMMITMENT TO THE WORLD'S MOTHERS AND
CHILDREN BY INCREASING FUNDING FOR BASIC CHILD SURVIVAL AND MATERNAL
HEALTH PROGRAMS OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. SMITH of Oregon (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Murray, Ms.
Landrieu, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Corzine) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 275
Whereas 10 years ago at the World Summit for Children, the
United States joined with 159 other governments to commit the
world to supporting efforts that reduce infant and maternal
mortality, child malnutrition, and illiteracy;
Whereas more than 11,000,000 children die before the age of
5 (30,500 children every day) due to preventable infectious
diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria,
and malnutrition;
Whereas more than a quarter of the world's children are
malnourished, which hinders their ability to learn and
thrive;
Whereas over 500,000 women who die every year during
pregnancy and childbirth could be saved by low-tech, low-cost
interventions;
Whereas research has found that the health of a child and
his or her mother is closely intertwined and good maternal
health is essential for the survival of both mothers and
children;
Whereas studies have shown that high maternal and child
mortality are directly correlated with social and political
instability;
Whereas the number of women of reproductive age in less
developed countries will grow by 34 percent in the next 20
years, making the need to improve health care services for
women and their children even more important;
Whereas past evidence has shown that programs to improve
child survival do work, for instance, in the past 8 years,
the United States Agency for International Development child
survival programs have significantly contributed to a 10
percent reduction in infant mortality rates worldwide;
Whereas while research has shown that maternal deaths
during pregnancy and childbirth could be easily prevented,
the number of women who die as mothers has not decreased in
10 years due to the lack of additional resources to address
the problem;
Whereas the world has been able to reduce maternal
mortality in the developed world, the disparity between
developed and developing countries continues to grow;
Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, the
lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications
or during childbirth in developing countries is 1 in 48, in
developed countries the ratio is 1 in 1,800, and the risk is
even greater in some sub-Saharan African countries where 1 in
every 14 girls entering adolescence will die from maternal
causes before completing her child-bearing years; and
Whereas according to a World Health Organization report,
between $27,000,000,000 and $38,000,000,000 will be needed in
2007 and 2015, respectively, to provide the necessary health
interventions to those living in low-income countries: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) child survival and maternal health programs supported
by the United States Agency for International Development
have and will make a difference in the lives of mothers and
children in the developing world;
(2) an increased commitment to improving the health of the
world's mothers and children will have a long-term impact on
the political, economic, and social stability of developing
countries;
(3) the United States should take a lead in improving the
lives of millions of people in the developing world through
targeted, effective, and multi-faceted health and development
programs; and
(4) the United States should renew its commitment to the
world's mothers and children by increasing funding for basic
child survival and maternal health programs of the United
States Agency for International Development by at least
$500,000,000.
Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a
resolution regarding the Senate's commitment to improving the health of
mothers and children around the world. I am proud to be joined by
Senators Feinstein, Murray, Landrieu, Corzine, and Durbin in
introducing this important legislation and we hope, by introducing this
resolution, we will illustrate an increased commitment to improving the
health of the world's mothers and children and show that this
commitment will have a long-term impact on the political, economic, and
social stability of developing countries.
Earlier this month, representatives from over 179 countries met at
the United Nations Special Session on Children. During this meeting,
they reviewed the progress made since the 1990 World Summit for
Children and renewed their pledge to improve the lives of the world's
children over the next decade.
The Bush Administration knows that investing in better health
increased a country's ability to prosper. President Bush proposed
increased funding for global HIV/AIDS programs at USAID. And I applaud
these efforts and am pleased to support them in the Senate. But I am
hoping that this resolution will also break ground for an increase for
maternal and child health programs. Difficult choices must be made,
[[Page S4874]]
understandably, but funds should not be shifted from one essential
health program to another. We must find new funding overall for health
programs, especially maternal health.
Every year, over 500,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth.
These lives can be saved by low-tech, low-cost interventions. The
health of a child and her mother are closely intertwined, and good
maternal health is essential for the survival of both mother and child.
In developing countries, a mother's death in childbirth due to
malnutrition, or inadequate prenatal and delivery care, means almost
certain death for her newly born child.
I also know that we must invest in programs that improve the health
of young children. Every year, nearly 11 million die needlessly before
their fifth birthday, almost all from diseases easily prevented or
readily treated. Pennies worth of antibiotics could save three million
children who will die this year of pneumonia alone.
This resolution calls for increased funding for basic child survival
and maternal health programs of at least $500 million dollars. This
figure is just a small investment when the dividends would be political
stability, international security, and a renewed hope for the future of
mothers and children around the world. I call on all my colleagues to
join me in supporting this important resolution.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Gordon
Smith, Durbin, Murray, Landrieu, and Corzine to submit a resolution
voicing the Senate's commitment to improving the health of mothers and
children around the world.
This resolution illustrates that an increased commitment to improving
the health of the world's mothers and children will have a long-term
impact on the political, economic, and social stability of developing
countries. The stability of our own nation depends significantly on the
economic and political stability of developing nations. And their
economic and political stability cannot be realized unless the health
of their people is improved.
The resolution we are introducing today calls for increased funding
for basic child survival and maternal health programs of at least $500
million dollars. This figure is a small investment when the dividends
could be political stability, international security, and a renewed
hope for the future of mothers and children around the world.
A few weeks ago, representatives from over 179 countries met at the
United Nations Special Session on Children. During this meeting, they
reviewed the progress made since the 1990 World Summit for Children and
renewed their pledge to improve the lives of the world's children over
the next decade. Overall, the funding for global health, which includes
HIV/AIDS programs, has increased significantly. Child survival and
maternal health programs was funded at $345 million in fiscal year
2001. Funding was cut by $26 million in fiscal year 2002. The Bush
administration also acknowledges that investing in health care
increases a country's ability to prosper.
President Bush made a wise decision when he proposed increased
funding for global HIV/AIDS programs at USAID for fiscal year 2003.
However, his budget also recommends a $25 million decrease in support
for maternal and child health programs. The funding situation is
getting worse rather than better for child survival and maternal health
programs. Difficult choices must be made, understandably, but funds
should not be shifted from one essential health program to pay for
another. Especially when funding for maternal and child health programs
have been decreased in previous years.
At this precarious time in our world, we cannot lose sight of the
health of women, the primary caregivers who instill values and provide
hope for their children; the future of every society. Women in
developing countries put their lives at risk when they become pregnant,
over 500,000 women die every year during pregnancy and childbirth. The
health of a child and his or her mother are closely intertwined, and
good maternal health is essential for the survival of both mother and
child. In developing countries, a mother's death in childbirth due to
malnutrition, or inadequate prenatal and delivery care, means almost
certain death for her newly born child. We must also invest
substantially more in programs that improve the health of young
children.
Every day around the world, over 30,000 children die preventable
deaths from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles, and
malnutrition.
Additionally, every year, nearly 11 million children die needlessly
before their fifth birthday--almost all from diseases easily prevented
or readily treated. Pennies worth of antibiotics, for example, could
save three million children who will die this year of pneumonia. The
true tragedy is that we know how to prevent these 11.5 million deaths
that occur each year. Low-tech, low-cost interventions exist, and with
additional resources to fund these interventions, could save lives.
Children must be nourished so that they can thrive and disparities
between developed and developing countries can be reduced.
As studies continue to show that high maternal and child mortality
are directly correlated with social and political instability, we must
take action to ensure the growth and development of the countries who
need it most and their people who are dying needlessly.
The World Health Organization has reported that $27 billion will be
needed in 2007 to provide necessary health interventions to those
living in low-income countries. I believe we must do all we can to
provide funds to improve the health of the world's mothers and
children. The resolution being introduced proposes an increase in
funding by at least $500 million for child survival and maternal health
programs. We need to renew our commitment to mothers and children all
over the world. The programs supported by USAID have and will make a
difference in the lives of mothers and children in the developing
world.
I strongly believe that an increase in funding is necessary and will
have a positive long-term impact on the political, economic, and social
stability of those countries.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
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