[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           2010 WORLD MALARIA DAY--``WE CAN DEFEAT MALARIA''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of 
World Malaria Day, which occurs on April 25th. For millions around the 
world--particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the global malaria 
burden is heaviest--the disease is a daily reality, an enduring 
epidemic that kills millions and impedes the progress and ambitions of 
entire nations.
  In the last decade, however, it has been proven that this need not be 
the case; that malaria can, in fact, be defeated. Between 2000 and 
2009, 384,000 lives were saved in 12 African countries alone, through 
resources like insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, 
and malaria prevention for women during pregnancy. This was 
accomplished through the efforts and support of many countries, 
organizations, and companies that effectively raised the level of 
prevention, treatment, program support, and health system-strengthening 
in sub-Saharan Africa.
  In 2008, Congress authorized an historic $48 billion for HIV/AIDS, 
tuberculosis, and malaria programs by passing H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos 
and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, 
Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. But the current 
level of funding is not where it needs to be to ensure that these life-
saving measures reach the people who need them. In fact, current 
funding is only 25 percent of what is needed to achieve the malaria 
intervention and elimination goals established by the UN and the Roll 
Back Malaria partnership.
  World Malaria Day is an opportunity to raise awareness for this cause 
and address its inherent challenges. This is not an endeavor for which 
we lack the knowledge, skills, or resources to win. Rapidly scaling up 
the distribution of malaria control interventions has been proven to 
have a dramatic impact on reducing illnesses and deaths caused by 
malaria. There is a plan in place to put us on the path to eliminating 
this disease and, through our foreign assistance, we, as Americans, are 
an integral part of that plan.
  Congressman Boozman and I launched the Congressional Malaria Caucus 
to promote awareness in Congress of the efforts being made to stamp out 
the disease. We now have close to 60 Members of the Caucus, and I 
encourage us to see this plan through and help those who face the daily 
burden of malaria to reach their potential as a nation and as people.

                          ____________________