[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1278-S1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  By Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Feingold, Mr. 
Coleman, and Mr. Smith):
  S. 350. A bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide 
assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing 
countries, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Assistance for 
Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 
2005.
  On October 7, 2004, I introduced S. 2939, a bill to improve our 
ability to provide assistance to orphans and vulnerable children in 
developing countries. Because of the gravity and urgency of the growing 
AIDS orphans crisis, I am reintroducing my bill.
  The unprecedented AIDS orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa has 
profound

[[Page S1279]]

implications for political stability, development, and human welfare 
that extend far beyond the region. Sub-Saharan African nations stand to 
lose generations of educated and trained professionals who can 
contribute meaningfully to their countries' development. Orphaned 
children, many of whom are homeless, are more likely to resort to 
prostitution and other criminal behavior to survive. Most 
frighteningly, these uneducated, poorly socialized, and stigmatized 
young adults are extremely vulnerable to being recruited into criminal 
gangs, rebel groups, or extremist organizations that offer shelter and 
food and act as ``surrogate'' families. It is imperative that the 
international community respond to this crisis.
  An estimated 110 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, 
Latin America, and the Caribbean. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is rapidly 
expanding the orphan population. Currently an estimated 14 million 
children have been orphaned by AIDS, most of whom live in sub-Saharan 
Africa. This number is projected to soar to more than 25 million by 
2010. The pandemic is orphaning generations of African children and is 
compromising the overall development prospects of their countries.
  Most orphans in the developing world live in extremely disadvantaged 
circumstances. Poor communities in the developing world struggle to 
meet the basic food, clothing, health care, and educational needs of 
orphans. Experts recommend supporting community-based organizations to 
assist these children. Such an approach enables the children to remain 
connected to their communities, traditions, rituals, and extended 
families.
  My bill seeks to improve assistance to orphans and other vulnerable 
children in developing countries. It would require the United States 
Government to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing such 
assistance and would authorize the President to support community-based 
organizations that provide basic care for orphans and vulnerable 
children.
  Orphans are less likely to be in school, and more likely to be 
working full time. Yet only education can help children acquire the 
knowledge and develop the skills they need to build a better future.

  For many children, the primary barrier to an education is the expense 
of school fees, uniforms, supplies, and other costs. My bill aims to 
improve enrollment and access to primary school education by supporting 
programs that reduce the negative impact of school fees and other 
expenses. It also would reaffirm our commitment to international school 
lunch programs. Studies have shown that school food programs provide an 
incentive for children to stay in school. School meals provide basic 
nutrition to children who otherwise do not have access to reliable 
food.
  Many children who lose one or both parents often face difficulty in 
asserting their inheritance rights. Even when the inheritance rights of 
women and children are spelled out in law, such rights are difficult to 
claim and are seldom enforced. In many countries it is difficult or 
impossible for a widow--even if she has small children--to claim 
property after the death of her husband. This often leaves the most 
vulnerable children impoverished and homeless. My bill seeks to support 
programs that protect the inheritance rights of orphans and widows with 
children.
  The AIDS orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa has implications for 
political stability, development, and human welfare that extend far 
beyond the region, affecting governments and people worldwide. Every 14 
seconds another child is orphaned by AIDS. Turning the tide on this 
crisis will require a coordinated, comprehensive, and swift response. I 
am hopeful that Senators will join me in backing this legislation.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my chairman of the 
Senate Foreign Relations I Committee, Senator Lugar, in reintroducing 
the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing 
Countries Act. Today, we are reintroducing a bill that we worked on 
together in the 108th Congress--a bill that will help those most 
vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS pandemic throughout the world.
  An estimated 14 million children have lost either one or both parents 
to HIV/AIDS. By the year 2010, It is estimated that this number will 
grow to 25 million. The pandemic has created an orphans crisis, 
especially in sub-Sahara Africa where this crisis is most severe.
  The struggle of those orphaned by this pandemic is heartbreaking. 
These children face the trauma of watching their parents die. They are 
forced at a very young age to care for their younger siblings while 
suffering from deep poverty, hunger, and sicknesses.
  A girl from Uganda who lost her parents to HIV/AIDS at age 11 told 
the BBC:

       When my mother died we suffered so much. There was no food, 
     and there was no one to look after us. We didn't even have 
     money to buy soap and salt. We wanted to run away to our 
     other grandparents, but we didn't have transport to go there. 
     I tried to be positive, but it was difficult. I missed my 
     mother because I loved her so much.

  Picture this story repeated 14 million times throughout the world. We 
cannot stand by and allow this suffering to continue.
  The Lugar-Boxer legislation that is being introduced today is 
designed to help these orphans and other vulnerable children who have 
been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
  First, our bill would authorize the President to provide assistance 
to orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries. 
Specific authorization is provided in the areas of basic care, HIV/AIDS 
treatment, school food programs, protection of inheritance rights, and 
education and employment training assistance.
  Second, this legislation calls on the President to use U.S. foreign 
assistance to support programs that eliminate school fees. Throughout 
the world, many orphans are prevented from attending school because 
they cannot afford to pay school fees or are forced to financially 
support their families or care for sick relatives.
  And, third, our bill would require the President to develop and 
submit to Congress a strategy for coordinating, implementing, and 
monitoring assistance programs for orphans and vulnerable children.
  This strategy must include measurable performance indicators to 
ensure that our policies are effective in helping orphans and 
vulnerable children.
  Once again, Mr. President, I thank Chairman Lugar for working with me 
on this bipartisan legislation. I also thank Congresswoman Lee for her 
leadership on this issue in the House of Representatives.
  I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting this important bill.
                                 ______