[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1084-E1085]
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. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2003

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this critical 
bill. This important legislation integrates prevention, care, and 
treatment. By passing the conference report on H.R. 1298 we can 
directly improve and extend the lives of millions worldwide. I think 
every member owes a special thanks to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos), the ranking Democrat on the International Relations 
Committee and to the Gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for their 
outstanding leadership on this landmark legislation.
  I want to express my most sincere gratitude to the Chairman of the 
International Relations Committee, my colleague from Illinois (Chairman 
Hyde). He has demonstrated incredible leadership and a commitment to 
placing science above ideology by supporting a bill that will provide 
the resources necessary to promote effective strategies and 
technologies in the battle against HIV/AIDS. These technologies include 
the use of condoms, a measure that is effective in preventing 
transmission of the virus and should be used more frequently. This bill 
provides for education on the use of condoms, along with the teaching 
of abstinence and faithfulness to one's spouse. We must never allow our 
own personal ideologies to get in the way of our efforts to save lives.
  Another meaningful aspect of this legislation is that it contributes 
to the Global Fund, indicating the interest of this Nation and this 
body in working with the international community to fight this global 
problem. I hope that such cooperation will be extended to other 
healthcare matters and critical issues currently facing this Nation.
  The provision of aid to Haiti is of particular interest to me. I 
recently visited Haiti. It is the fourth poorest country in the world. 
The average Haitian lives on $1.39 dollars a day. I was shocked by the 
suffering I witnessed during my visit. Ninety perrcent of all HIV and 
AIDS infections in the Caribbean are in Haiti. Tragically, death from 
HIV/AIDS has left 163,000 children in Haiti orphaned. In Haiti, where 
only 1 in every 10,000 citizens has access to a physician, and where 
cases of TB are more than ten times as high as those in other Latin 
American countries, the population will benefit profoundly from this 
legislation.
  AIDS has ravaged the globe, causing unprecedented death and 
suffering, and the virus is a global threat that must be addressed as 
such. We have had significant discussion about the need to undertake 
all possible actions at our disposal when addressing emerging threats. 
AIDS is indeed a well established threat to the health and security of 
the world. The fight against HIV/AIDS is a fight for humanity.
  In addressing this worldwide pandemic, we must also work together to 
provide countries with life-saving and extending drugs. These drugs are 
the difference between a baby in Africa having a chance to know his or 
her mother or father or being orphaned before they can

[[Page E1085]]

speak or walk. We cannot allow pharmaceutical companies or government 
policies to construct barriers to treatment, such as complicated trade 
strategies and patent practices that make it difficult or impossible 
for nations to obtain the medicines they need to treat their 
populations at a price they can afford. We must make sure our dollars 
are stretched as far as they can go by lowering the price of drugs. We 
must also demand that the international community, including the 
corporate community, matches our efforts.
  Finally, this measure is only an authorization bill. It is a 
critically important step. But it will be meaningless unless all 
members follow through on the commitment we are making today and 
adequately fund this measure through the appropriations process. I 
pledge my support to that effort.
  Passage of H.R. 1298 is long overdue. I urge all members to support 
this bill.