[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 165 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2267-E2268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MARKING PATH'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2007

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, this year marks 30 years 
since PATH began working to create innovative solutions that enable 
communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. 
Originally founded in 1977 as the Program for the Introduction and 
Adaptation of Contraceptive Technology (PIACT), PATH began by helping 
manufacturers set up facilities for making high-quality condoms in 
China.
  Today, PATH implements health programs in many countries, works with 
a variety of private partners to develop new vaccines and microbicides, 
and has advanced more than 30 health technologies for low-resource 
settings. By collaborating with diverse public- and private-sector 
partners, PATH provides appropriate health technologies and vital 
strategies to improve global health and well-being worldwide.
  Over the past three decades, PATH has worked in more than 100 
countries and received many prestigious international awards for its 
work. PATH's president, Dr. Christopher Elias, was the Schwab 
Foundation's ``U.S. Social Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 2006 and the 
organization has earned four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, the 
Fast Company Social Capitalist Award, and recognition by Amazon.com as 
one of the ten most innovative nonprofits.
  The breadth of PATH's work includes many innovative technologies. One 
example, the UnijectTM device, is a single-use syringe 
(auto-disabled to prevent reuse) used by USAID to prevent maternal 
deaths and by UNICEF to deliver life-saving vaccines. PATH also 
implements and expands programs to increase adoption of malaria control 
and childhood nutrition interventions in some of the world's poorest 
settings. Additionally, the organization's public-private partnerships 
work to create and introduce affordable vaccines to prevent malaria, 
meningitis, cervical cancer, diarrheal diseases, and other major 
illnesses.
  PATH's efforts maximize health equity to ensure health products and 
programs reach the poorest and most vulnerable. They strengthen the 
capacity to foster demand-driven and scalable solutions by promoting an 
inclusive approach to innovation and discovery--one that builds strong 
partnerships with communities, industry, and local governments. 
Admirably, the organization enhances programmatic integration and 
improving the monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of results.
  As health inequities continue to persist, the effects of preventable 
disease and deaths become greater, particularly in our increasingly 
interconnected and global society. PATH demonstrates a commitment to 
address these threats. They have demonstrated dedication to finding 
innovative, scalable solutions for some of the world's greatest 
challenges by harnessing the promise of science and technology, the 
ingenuity of individuals and communities, and ensuring solutions can be 
realized for everyone.

[[Page E2268]]

  Please join me in celebrating PATH's 30 years of success and 
innovation in improving the world's health.

                          ____________________