[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND ANGELO D'AGOSTINO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Rev. Angelo D'Agostino, a hero and a pioneer in the fight 
against AIDS in Africa.
  I was deeply saddened when I heard news of Father D'Agostino's death. 
I met Father D'Agostino on my trip to Kenya in 2000 and I became a firm 
believer in his AIDS orphans and families programs.
  He was a friend and a champion in the fight against AIDS. Constantly 
fighting the small battles on the front lines of the war against AIDS, 
he was responsible for improving the lives of many young Kenyans 
devastated by the scourge of AIDS.
  Father D'Agostino, a Jesuit priest, was sent to Kenya to coordinate 
the refugee work of the Jesuits. Through his work, he was exposed to 
the AIDS-affected population of the country. All over Kenya, children 
were orphaned as AIDS claimed the lives of their parents; leaving the 
children alone, abandoned and in many cases HIV positive. He was deeply 
disturbed by the devastating effect of the disease on children and the 
community and knew that helping these children and families was his 
mission. Father D'Agostino dedicated his life to making a better life 
for those suffering the devastating effects of the horrible disease.
  He founded the Nyumbani Orphanage with three children in 1992 and 
expanded it into a community for children and adults alike. The 
Nyumbani organization is also involved in community-based programs such 
as Leo Toto (meaning to raise a child), which are set up to provide 
outreach services to HIV-positive children and their families in the 
Nairobi area. His tireless efforts to better the lives of those touched 
by AIDS were widely successful.
  Father D'Agostino believed that every individual had a right to an 
education. He successfully sued the Kenyan Government, forcing them to 
repeal a law banning HIV positive children from public schools.
  Under Father D'Agostino's leadership, Nyumbani became the first place 
in Africa to import hugely discounted AIDS drugs. It also has the most 
advanced blood diagnostic laboratory in Kenya.
  Father D'Agostino was truly a hero and a pioneer in the fight against 
the scourge of AIDS. He believed that every HIV positive and AIDS 
inflicted child and family, no matter how poor or meager their 
existence, deserved the chance to live a better life. He was a model 
for those who wish to dedicate themselves to improving the lives of 
others. I admire his work and commitment in serving children 
marginalized by society. He will be missed.




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