[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E886-E887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1298, UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP 
        AGAINST HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1298) to 
     provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, 
     tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes:

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the United 
States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 
2003 and in support of amendments that would strengthen this bill in 
helping address the AIDS pandemic in Africa. The bill before the House 
today seeks to prevent 7 million new HIV/AIDS infections, provide care 
and support for 10 million HIV-infected people and provide 
antiretroviral therapy for millions of victims over the next 5 years.
  Africa is a continent far removed from the everyday lives of most 
Americans, both in its geographic location and in its distinction among 
the other populations of the world. But it is a continent whose future 
has profound implications for the future of the United States.
  Sub-Saharan Africa has approximately 10 percent of the world's 
population, a remarkable history and numerous natural resources. 
Unfortunately, it also is plagued with the pandemic known as HIV/AIDS 
that has caught the attention of the international community. In recent 
years, more than 21 million Africans have died of AIDS, including more 
than 2 million in 2001. AIDS has surpassed malaria as the leading cause 
of death and threatens to cripple and destroy African life. An alarming 
70 percent of the world's AIDS victims live in Africa. With far more 
dying from AIDS in Africa than from all its wars and conflicts, we 
cannot ignore the perilous state of affairs faced by our fellow men.
  Of particular concern to me is the fact that 58 percent of those 
infected with the virus are women who are passing this deadly disease 
to their children. More than 600,000 infants are HIV infected each year 
in Africa because of mother-to-child transmission. As one generation 
passes the deadly virus on to the next, we are witnessing a self-
sustaining genocide.
  The more than 11 million AIDS orphans living in Africa are crying out 
from malnutrition, and their chances of obtaining an education are 
severely reduced. These innocent little children are the product of a 
crisis that is bringing even more severe economic hardship to a land 
already stranded in poverty. Life expectancy in some African countries 
has dropped by decades, and agricultural production has declined as 
workers with AIDS die or become unable to perform their work.
  With the leadership of President Bush, the United States is stepping 
up its efforts to deal with this problem. Not only are we reaching out 
because of moral principle and human compassion, but also because we 
recognize the national security implications of not engaging with the 
AIDS crisis in Africa.
  With radical Islamic terrorist cells thriving in poverty-stricken 
countries, we must acknowledge and address the AIDS pandemic that can 
fuel desperation, and ultimately, hospitality toward violent groups 
that seek destruction of America. With an estimated 55 million Africans 
who will lose their lives to AIDS by 2020, the United States has both 
an opportunity and an obligation to help defeat AIDS in order to bring 
stability to these suffering countries. Already, African militaries are 
feeling the results of high infection rates among their soldiers. As 
countries lose their ability to maintain peace, anarchy will take over 
and deliver further havoc on society. If the problem is ignored, the 
ability of terrorists to recruit more sympathizers will only multiply. 
By helping prevent the further spread of this horrible disease, we can 
help ensure that terrorists are given no safe harbor in Africa.
  As William J. Bennett and Charles Colson recently stated in the 
Washington Times, ``Al Qaeda networks operating in Africa remind us 
that, like it or not, no part of the world can any longer be isolated 
from any other part. If an entire continent sinks into despair and 
anarchy, the whole world will be affected.''
  While I support H.R. 1298, I want to express my strong support for 
amended language that would designate funds for prevention and 
treatment programs that have an outstanding track record of drastically 
reducing the number of infected individuals. For example, the world has 
finally acknowledged how effective Uganda's ABC program has been in 
reducing the number of HIV/AIDS victims. H.R. 1298 is right to commend 
the ABC program along with the excellent leadership of President Yoweri 
Museveni.
  Uganda's ABC program ``Abstain, Be faithful, use Condoms'', in order 
of priority, has dropped infection rates from 22 percent in 1992 to 7 
percent in 2002. This remarkable, yet simple, program first promotes 
abstaining from sexual relationships until marriage. Rather than 
blindly pass out condoms, the ABC program promotes a lifestyle of 
abstinence that guarantees to protect individuals against sexually 
transmitting the HlV/AIDS virus.
  Secondly, the Ugandan ABC program encourages partners to remain 
faithful to each other. In working to promote faithfulness between 
married couples, this low-cost program encourages fidelity as a means 
of reducing the spreading of the virus between multiple partners. With 
the percentage of sexually active youth falling significantly and the 
increasing number of Ugandans reporting none or one sexual partner in 
the past decade, the results speak for themselves.
  Thirdly, use of condoms is encouraged as a means to help reduce the 
spread of HIV/AIDS for those who choose not to abstain.
  Congressman Joe Pitts has offered an amendment to HR 1298 that will 
require 33 percent of AIDS prevention funds be directed to abstinence-
until-marriage programs. I stand in full support of this amendment that 
is supported by both the White House and Chairman Hyde. By supporting 
pro-family, proven methods that prevent the spread of AIDS, we will 
most effectively bring an end to this crisis.
  I also want to voice my support for the amendment offered today by 
Congressman Chris Smith that would clarify the right of organizations 
having moral or religious objections to certain prevention methods to 
remain eligible for this funding. While there is language in H.R. 1298 
to prevent such discrimination, the language is vague and might not 
offer sufficient protection from bias against these fine groups.

  In Africa, there are organizations offering excellent programs to 
local communities to fight against the spread of AIDS but who have 
moral objections to condom promotion. It is important these groups are 
allowed to compete for funding and continue their successful programs. 
It is to the advantage of the African people that we have the largest 
pool from which to choose applicants.
  As the House of Representatives moves forward with passage of this 
historic legislation to fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, 
let us remember the millions who have already lost their lives and the 
remaining tens of millions who are currently afflicted with this 
dreadful virus of death.

[[Page E887]]

  I hope and pray we can unite with our African neighbors to bring an 
end to the AIDS crisis. It is no longer just their problem--it is 
particularly ours as well.

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