[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP AGAINST HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA 
                              ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1298, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and 
Malaria Act of 2003.
  There is no doubt that sub-Saharan Africa is in the midst of a crisis 
because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Although only 10 percent of the 
world's population resides in this area, it is home to more than 70 
percent of individuals infected by HIV/AIDS. According to the United 
Nations, 29.4 million adults and children are infected with the HIV 
virus in the region, including 3 million children under the age of 15.
  Although HIV/AIDS has become a treatable disease here in the United 
States, the public health infrastructure in Africa is ill-equipped to 
deal with this pandemic. This is evidenced by the fact that, of the 4 
million individuals who have reached an advanced stage of the disease, 
only 50,000 individuals are receiving anti-retroviral treatment.
  This problem is compounded by the increased spread of comorbidities 
such as tuberculosis and malaria. Tuberculosis is a leading cause of 
death for individuals with HIV/AIDS, causing one out of every three 
deaths for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Incidences of malaria have 
increased dramatically in recent years due to resistance of the malaria 
parasite to once effective drugs, and increasing resistance of 
mosquitoes to insecticides. The World Health Organization estimates 
between 300 million and 500 million new cases of malaria each year.
  That is why this legislation is so important. This measure makes a 
substantial investment in our Nation's efforts to help Africa combat 
this horrible epidemic. The legislation provides up to $1 billion 
specifically for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 
2004--a key multilateral mechanism for expanding prevention and 
treatment. It also allows the U.S. share of total contributions to the 
Global Fund of up to 33 percent, which solidifies our country's 
leadership and commitment to eradicating these diseases worldwide.
  This legislation is carefully crafted, bipartisan, and will be truly 
effective in our efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. 
I applaud the efforts of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
International Relations Committee for their work on this important 
legislation.

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