[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND THE AIDS EPIDEMIC

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, there is an epidemic of AIDS and HIV in 
Africa that can be described as a pandemic on that continent, 42 
million infected with HIV, 8,500 deaths every day, entire villages in 
Africa where there is no single living adult.
  Yesterday as I sat in the East Room of the White House, I heard 
President Bush describe a compassionate vision of moral obligation for 
the American people addressing this crisis that would bring with it not 
only $15 billion over 5 years, but to put a priority on the values of 
the American people, abstinence and monogamy, and then condom 
distribution, and would protect faith-based organizations in the 
process.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, unless the House amends the bill we will consider 
tomorrow, the global AIDS bill will not reflect the values of the 
American people or the vision of the President of the United States of 
America. President Bush was right when he said we will not pass on the 
other side of the road, citing the good Samaritan in this crisis. But 
as we decide whether we will support abstinence first and protect the 
role of faith-based organizations in Africa, let us remember the good 
Samaritan not only stopped and provided money, but he took the man to a 
place where he could be made whole.
  Faith-based organizations and those timeless values are such a place 
and I urge support of the Pitts and Smith amendments.

                          ____________________