[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H3114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1030
WORLD AIDS ORPHANS DAY
(Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World AIDS Orphans
Day, which is commemorated every year on May 7.
Over 15 million children have already lost one or both of their
parents to HIV and AIDS, 12 million of which live in Sub-Saharan
Africa. By 2010, there could be 20 million children.
Children who have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS of course are left
without food, shelter, education or protection. Three years ago, we
enacted legislation that I authored with Chairman Henry Hyde to better
focus and coordinate our foreign assistance programs to address the
unique needs of these children. Last month, the House passed
legislation named after two great men who love children, former
Chairman Tom Lantos and Chairman Henry Hyde, to reauthorize and provide
$50 billion for our global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs,
and to allocate 10 percent of global AIDS funding to meet the needs of
AIDS orphans.
Today, on World AIDS Orphans Day, I urge my colleagues in the other
body to take the next step and to pass this important bill. Together we
can create a brighter, safer and more secure future for the world's
children.
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