[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10246-10250]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1298, UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP 
        AGAINST HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA ACT OF 2003

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by the direction of 
the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 210 and ask for its 
immediate consideration.

[[Page 10247]]

  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 210

       Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule 
     XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the 
     Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of 
     the bill (H.R. 1298) to provide assistance to foreign 
     countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and 
     for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be 
     dispensed with. General debate shall be confined to the bill 
     and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled 
     by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee 
     on International Relations. After general debate the bill 
     shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. 
     It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the 
     purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment 
     in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on 
     International Relations now printed in the bill. The 
     committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be 
     considered as read. No amendment to the committee amendment 
     in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those 
     printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying 
     this resolution. Each amendment may be offered only in the 
     order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member 
     designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall 
     be debatable for the time specified in the report equally 
     divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, 
     shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject 
     to a demand for division of the question in the House or in 
     the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such 
     amendments are waived. At the conclusion of consideration of 
     the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report 
     the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been 
     adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House 
     on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the 
     bill or to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
     substitute. The previous question shall be considered as 
     ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage 
     without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with 
     or without instructions.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of 
debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself 
such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, 
Mr. Speaker, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
  (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)


 Modification to Amendment No. 8 Offered By Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of 
                                Florida

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that during consideration of H.R. 1298, pursuant to House 
Resolution 206, it shall be in order to consider the amendment that I 
have placed at the desk as amendment No. 8 in House Report 108-80.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Modification to Amendment No. 8 printed in House Report 
     108-80 offered by Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida:
       Page 83, line 14, strike ``For'' and insert ``(a) 
     Therapeutic Medical Care.--For''.

       Page 83, after line 22, add the following new subsection:

       (b) Orphans and Vulnerable Children.--For fiscal years 2006 
     through 2008, not less than 10 percent of the amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
     under section 401 for HIV/AIDS assistance for each such 
     fiscal year shall be expended for assistance for orphans and 
     vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, of which such 
     amount at least 50 percent shall be provided through non-
     profit, nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based 
     organizations, that implement programs on the community 
     level.

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, 
I ask unanimous consent that the modification be considered as read and 
printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the modification is 
agreed to.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 210 
is a structured rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 1298, the 
United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria 
Act of 2003. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate evenly divided 
and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on International Relations.
  Additionally, this rule makes 11 out of 13 amendments submitted to 
the Committee on Rules in order. Nearly half, 5 of the 11 of the 
amendments made in order were sponsored by members of the minority 
party. This is a fair rule that will allow all Members ample 
opportunity to debate the important issues associated with this bill.
  The underlying legislation is as crucial as I think it is timely. The 
AIDS pandemic has affected the world like no other in recent history. 
The epidemic has claimed, just in the year 2002 alone, more than 3 
million lives. I think we need to pause for a second and think about 
what that means, 3 million lives in one year. Also, an estimated 5 
million people acquired the virus, the human immuno-deficiency virus, 
HIV, in 2002, according to the best estimate, bringing the number of 
people globally living with the virus to over 40 million.
  This is, by all means, by every conceivable estimation, a 
catastrophe. However, this is not just a moral question, this critical 
situation has begun to threaten the security of the world, especially 
the developing world. The fragile governments often do not have the 
resources or the capability to handle threats as dangerous and as 
growing as this one. If states in the developing world begin to 
implode, collapse, the effects on the United States' national security 
and on the security of the international community could be absolutely 
disastrous.
  A state absent of all order makes for a perfect climate for 
terrorists and drug traffickers to grow their enterprises to develop 
their enterprises. For example, Mr. Speaker, in key states in Africa, 
including Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, it has been reported that 
over a third of their armed forces may be infected with this deadly 
virus. This is an inconceivable catastrophe.
  The pandemic of AIDS also threatens on the prospects for democracy 
and economic prosperity, especially in Africa. According to the U.S. 
National Intelligence Council, ``AIDS and the health problems 
associated with AIDS will hurt prospects for transition to democratic 
regimes as these problems undermine civil society, hamper the evolution 
of sound political and economic institutions, and intensify the 
struggle for power and resources.''
  The National Intelligence Council also estimates that the disease 
could reduce gross domestic product in some sub-Saharan African 
countries by 20 percent or more by the year 2010. We should consider 
the following fact from the most recent U.N. AIDS epidemic update, ``In 
4 southern African countries national adult HIV prevalence has risen 
higher than thought possible, exceeding 30 percent.''
  If the necessary investments, Mr. Speaker, to combat this pandemic is 
not made today, there will undoubtedly be significantly higher costs 
for all, including for the United States in the future. It is time for 
the Congress to act.
  At the podium before you, Mr. Speaker, the President, President 
George W. Bush, laid before Congress a bold vision in his State of the 
Union address. This legislation will make President Bush's vision a 
reality.
  The underlying legislation authorizes $3 billion for the executive 
branch, for the President under his leadership to combat HIV/AIDS 
worldwide in each of the next 5 years for a total of $15 billion. 
Additionally, this legislation will create the position of coordinator 
for HIV/AIDS assistance at the State Department to administer the 
Global AIDS Initiative Fund. Response to the AIDS crisis cannot come 
too soon when one considers the far reaching effects of this horrible 
disease.
  A fact that gives us all pause is that, for example, in Malawi alone, 
some 470,000 children under the age of 15 have been orphaned by AIDS. 
The underlying bill supports United States

[[Page 10248]]

participation in the global fund and specifically authorizes up to $1 
billion in fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary through 
2008.
  The underlying legislation was reported favorably out of committee by 
a bipartisan vote of 37 to 8. I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, as 
well as the distinguished ranking member, another extraordinary leader, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. Speaker, this bill provides crucial relief for those directly as 
well as indirectly affected by this crippling disease. This has been a 
bipartisan effort throughout the consideration of the bill, from 
consideration in the Committee on International Relations to this very 
balanced rule that has been reported out of the Committee on Rules, 
which continues this constructive debate by allowing nearly every 
Democrat amendment in order. I repeat that this process has been 
bipartisan, Mr. Speaker.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the 
underlying legislation. I think there are few things that we could do 
in this Congress of more importance that will help more of our fellow 
human beings.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and neighbor to the 
south, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for 
yielding me the customary time, and I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support in the strongest 
possible terms for the United States leadership against HIV/AIDS, 
Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, H.R. 1298.

                              {time}  1030

  I have long been concerned with the problem of HIV/AIDS, not just in 
our own country but also as it affects the poor countries of the world. 
I am proud that the response to this disease has been truly a 
bipartisan one. AIDS is blind to party stripes or political 
affiliation.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill provides $15 billion over the next 5 years to 
increase and expand in a significant way our program to fight HIV/AIDS 
in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. The scientific community has 
not yet found a cure for HIV/AIDS, but there is a vast body of 
knowledge that has greatly improved the quality of treatment for those 
who have HIV and AIDS.
  Sub-Saharan Africa is far more severely affected by AIDS than any 
other part of the world. In fact, AIDS has surpassed malaria as a 
leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, and it kills many more 
people than armed conflicts. The statistics, Mr. Speaker, are 
startling. Africa, where an estimated 3\1/2\ million people were newly 
infected with HIV in 2002, has approximately 10 percent of the world's 
population but more than 70 percent of the worldwide total of people 
infected with HIV.
  In 2002, the joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, commonly 
referred to as UNAIDS, reported 29.4 million people were living with 
HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the Congressional Research 
Service, at the end of 2001 an estimated 19 million Africans had lost 
their lives to AIDS, including an estimated 2.2 million who had died 
during that year alone. UNAIDS estimates that by the year 2020 an 
additional 55 million Africans will lose their lives to this awful 
disease.
  Additionally, this pandemic is having a much greater impact on 
children in Africa than is the case in other parts of the world. 
According to UNAIDS, more than 600,000 African infants become infected 
with HIV each year through mother-to-child transmission, either at 
birth or through breast-feeding. These children have short life 
expectancies, and the number of them currently alive with HIV is 
approximately about 1 million. In 2001, about 11 million children 
became orphans because of AIDS in Africa. And because of the stigma 
attached to AIDS, children who become orphans through AIDS are at a 
high risk of being malnourished, abused, and denied an education.
  In the Caribbean, the AIDS epidemic does not compare to the severity 
of the pandemic in Africa, but it has reached alarming levels. There 
are an estimated 420,000 people living with AIDS in Caribbean 
countries. Moreover, the HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate in several 
countries in the Caribbean is among the highest outside of sub-Saharan 
Africa. Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Guiana are the countries 
crying out for assistance.
  Every day AIDS claims the lives of thousands of innocent people. 
According to the latest United Nations AIDS report, roughly 600,000 
people die of AIDS on a daily basis. While this legislation directs 
action toward the AIDS problem in Africa and the Caribbean, the disease 
wreaks havoc in other regions of the world, including the United 
States. The fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic is in Eastern Europe and 
Eurasia. Further, Asia and the Pacific may also face a huge growth in 
this epidemic.
  The impact of AIDS can extend beyond the direct loss of life. It has 
indirect effects on life and health costs not normally associated 
directly with the disease. Recently, for example, AIDS fueled deadly 
famines in east and southern Africa. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a global 
human challenge that demands a global comprehensive response, and I am 
proud that the United States has signified that it is going to take the 
lead. This legislation authorizes up to $1 billion for the global fund 
as a way to show our international leadership in the fight against the 
HIV/AIDS pandemic and to leverage funds out of other countries to reach 
the levels needed annually to address this problem.
  I had the good fortune during the break to meet with the executive 
director of the Global Fund and our own Secretary of Health and Human 
Services and the minister for health in Italy when they signed an 
agreement indicating the Italian-American understandings with reference 
to approaching this problem. And I assured, and I am sure many of my 
colleagues can as well, the director of the Global Fund that we would 
do everything that we can to ensure appropriate resources are in the 
Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS and malaria and tuberculosis.
  This is a good bill. In fact, it mirrors many of the provisions of a 
bill I introduced on Tuesday. Mr. Speaker, the toll of this disease has 
brought unspeakable sorrow and distress to Africa, the Caribbean and 
other areas of the world. Our government has not done enough to address 
this disease in Africa and elsewhere. We should be proud of this effort 
and view it as a new start on the road to eradicating AIDS. That is the 
purpose of this legislation, Mr. Speaker. With the additional 
resources, both financial and human, provided for in this legislation, 
we can begin to stem the tide of this disease. We know what works in 
the effort to combat HIV and AIDS, and we need to get on about the 
business of doing it.
  Mr. Speaker, America is a great country in many ways. In the long 
history of humankind, our greatness will be measured as much by what we 
do for the needy and the less fortunate of the world and in our country 
as it is by the quality of life we achieve right here in America. The 
real measure of our humanity as a Nation is our ability to share our 
treasure, our time, and our talents with truly needy people.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield to my good friend, the gentleman 
from California and the ranking member of the Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my distinguished colleague 
for yielding to me, and since he may not participate in the debate on 
the bill itself, I wished to publicly pay tribute to his leadership 
role on this most important issue.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I thank the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). I appreciate that very much.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page 10249]]


  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers 
at the present time, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who has, since she has 
been a Member of Congress, been totally committed to trying to 
alleviate AIDS in the world and has been the leader in legislation with 
reference to this problem, and certainly working with the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), has been directly involved in this particular 
piece of legislation.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague, the gentleman from 
Florida, for yielding me this time and for his leadership and his 
assistance and guidance throughout this entire process.
  Since I have been here in Congress and since 1998, we began to 
introduce and bring forward to this Congress the notion, really, of an 
AIDS Marshall Plan, which former Congressman Ron Dellums, my 
predecessor, conceived, brought to us, and indicated why the Congress 
should begin to go on record to take the lead in the world to fight 
this global pandemic.
  I would like to thank our chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde), and our ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), for their leadership and for making sure that this continues 
to be a bipartisan effort. This is not really a political issue. Both 
gentlemen have made sure that throughout this overall process that the 
people and their needs and the issues with regard to this pandemic 
stayed foremost in our mind and would not allow us to break down into 
our partisan squabbles that oftentimes we break down into. So I thank 
them both for their leadership.
  I would like to now talk just a little bit about the Uganda model of 
success, which is, of course, the model the President has cited as the 
model he is looking to to address this pandemic in this bill, and also 
why I believe the 33 percent set-aside offered by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) is an amendment that goes counter to what the 
President's intentions and stated reasons for moving forward in the 
Uganda fashion.
  First of all, each country, each village, each organization knows 
what strategies work best in terms of how they address this pandemic. 
This pandemic is killing so many people, there are so many orphans, 
there is so much disaster on the continent of Africa, that we have to 
marshal each and every effective way to stop it. So we should not in 
any way constrain this bill to a 33 percent set-aside that places for 
the most part abstinence as a priority.
  Again, this flies in the face of what our agreement was in committee, 
and that is the ABC approach, which is the Uganda approach: abstinence, 
be faithful, use a condom. The three-pronged approach should be 
balanced, is balanced, and should be the approach we use in this bill. 
I do not know why this requirement now, after our committee debate and 
committee discussion, would be put into the bill when we know the 
President has called for all three approaches. In fact, the Washington 
Times today indicated its support for the three-pronged approach and 
not for us prioritizing one versus the others.
  And let me just read what the Uganda model really is. I do not think 
we should be misled or misinformed about what Uganda is doing. Sophia 
Monico, who was the director of TASO, which is Uganda's premier HIV/
AIDS group, said, and this is quoted in The New York Times article, she 
said: ``It is so unfair to pull out one element of a bigger picture, a 
very small percentage of the whole picture, and say `this is what 
works.''' She goes on to say that ``Uganda is indeed a model for 
nations fighting AIDS, but it is not quite the model the religious 
right would like to believe. Ugandans are responding to a campaign 
known as ABC, which says: Abstain. If you can't abstain, be faithful. 
If you can't be faithful, use a condom. Contrary to the assertions,'' 
the article goes on to say, ``of Mr. Pitts and others, there is really 
nothing unusual about this slogan.''
  The WHO has sanctioned this. This is the standard public health 
approach to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. And so, Mr. Speaker, 
today, as we debate this bill, I hope Members of Congress will 
understand that setting aside 33 percent for abstinence only flies in 
the face of ABC. It flies in the face of the Uganda model. It does us a 
disservice as we put forward this very good bill to now take a step 
backwards and put a requirement on our organizations that makes no 
sense, that will not work, and, quite frankly, that was defeated in 
committee.
  So I want to see this move forward in a way I know the President 
wants to see it move forward, and that is the ABC approach, the 
standard multifaceted approach that gives all three approaches equal 
weight.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, precisely because issues like these are so important and 
need to be discussed is why we have made them in order in the Committee 
on Rules for discussion.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Paul).
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to call attention to something in the committee 
report that I consider an error, and I would like to make a suggestion 
so that it might not occur again. This particular legislation, not the 
rule as much as the legislation, I am not in support of for various 
reasons.

                              {time}  1045

  One, I think the odds are very slim that it is going to do a whole 
lot of good. It is very well-intended. I am a physician, and I cannot 
think of anything better than to wipe out AIDS in Africa, or in the 
United States, for that matter. But $15 billion going to Africa on a 
questionable program bothers me because at the same time, we are 
cutting benefits to our veterans and also the elderly have a hard time 
getting medical care here. So there is a practical argument against the 
legislation.
  In the bill and in the amendments, there is a lot of social 
engineering going on. I think if we are going to do any social 
engineering or social suggestions, it ought to be here and we ought not 
be naive enough to think we can change habits that exist in Africa.
  But the point I wanted to bring up is the authority for doing 
programs like this. We have a rule in the House that we have to cite 
the constitutional authority, for the legislation we're dealing with. 
The committee report cites the authority from a very important section 
of the Constitution, article I, section 8, because literally we, the 
Congress, get our marching orders from article I, section 8, which is 
the section of the Constitution relating to making all laws necessary 
and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested by the 
Constitution.
  Well, that is where the shortcoming comes because if we read the 
Constitution, at the end of article I, section 8, it says, ``To make 
all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into 
Execution the foregoing Powers.'' Therefore, the ``necessary and 
proper'' clause is explicitly designed to give the authority to write 
the laws for the foregoing powers. Believe me, we will not find any 
authority in article I, section 8 for dealing with medical care 
problems in Africa.
  I find it interesting here because quite often one side of the aisle 
when they do not like legislation will use my argument in this case, 
and other times it is the other side of the aisle. So everybody makes 
my argument one time or the other. My suggestion is if the Constitution 
means anything, and if article I, section 8 means anything, it ought to 
be applied across the board or we ought to change the Constitution and 
say this is a mandate from the American people that we should pursue 
missionary work in Africa.
  But most likely nobody is going to propose a change in the 
Constitution, the Constitution will not be changed, so the Congress 
chooses to ignore the Constitution when it feel like it; therefore, we 
have reduced the Constitution

[[Page 10250]]

to something that has very little value anymore.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) who has stood out on this issue for 
all the time he and I have served here in Congress.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the gentleman from 
Florida for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this issue.
  It is very good to stand here in support of a bipartisan bill that 
addresses some of the real problems in the world today. Particularly in 
the wake of the situation in Iraq, it is important for the United 
States to show the world that we care about the big problems that 
affect other people in other countries as well as issues that affect 
American interests.
  Let me take a moment to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lee) for her leadership. If anyone in this body has stood up on this 
issue, it is the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), as well as the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Hyde). This is truly a bipartisan bill. I would also like to 
applaud the President because he has pushed this issue $15 billion to 
fight AIDS in Africa. I think that is a very good thing.
  I hasten to note that many of these programs started under the 
Clinton administration, and for years, Democratic activists have been 
fighting for additional money to fight AIDS in Africa. I intend to 
support this bill; however, the rule allows amendments which I believe 
are problems.
  Some of my conservative brethren come to this debate and argue that 
we ought to give more priority to abstinence. In a tone of some self-
righteousness they suggest that abstinence ought to be the preferred 
method, and that this reflects American values. I think on the issue of 
fighting AIDS, the American value is saving as many lives as we 
possibly can. And for that reason when later today we have this 
amendment to prioritize and single out abstinence, I am going to oppose 
it.
  I think our responsibility is to make resources available to be used 
in the best, most efficient way possible. Abstinence does have merit, I 
will be the first to say that. And where it can be used effectively and 
advocated to young people, I would support that. But to say that 
abstinence should get a specific share of the money, even if it is not 
the most effective proposal, does not make sense. The American value is 
to save lives.
  Now, it seems to me that we ought to use all available approaches and 
use our money most effectively and most efficiently. My conservative 
colleagues say look at the Uganda model. And as the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee) just pointed out, they have somewhat distorted it. 
They would have us believe that Uganda, which has been very successful 
in reducing AIDS, primarily relies on abstinence. That is not true.
  It is true that Uganda has been successful in reducing infection 
rates from 26 percent to 6 percent over a 20-year period. It is not 
true that they rely solely or even primarily on abstinence. Abstinence 
is only part of their Anti-aids program. In fact, Ugandans used 80 
million condoms last year. 80 million condoms. Condom use by 
prostitutes in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, has increased from 
zero to 95 percent. It has been proven that condom use is an important 
part of the program.
  What we are saying today is that we need to include all approaches: 
Abstinence, faithfulness, and condom use, and not single out any 
particular approach. Let the affected communities in Africa decide what 
works best and spend the money accordingly. If we do that, this is 
truly a great bill and we should be proud to support it.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) who also has been in the 
leadership on this matter and serves on the Committee on International 
Relations.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what transpired in the 
Committee on International Relations this last couple of months in 
moving this legislation forward. It was reported out of committee by an 
overwhelming bipartisan majority, and it shows what we can do when we 
come together in a bipartisan fashion. I commend the administration for 
its support of a creative solution for the HIV-AIDS epidemic that 
Members from both parties can support.
  It has been referenced that some of our colleagues have interpreted 
ABC as ``anything but condoms,'' and we are going to talk about that on 
the floor as various amendments come forward; but I think it is 
critical that we take a step back and not put a political agenda ahead 
of a program with proven success.
  I hope that my colleagues can withhold their desire to impose their 
standards on hundreds of millions of people that live in different 
countries with different cultures, in wildly different communities. 
There is too much at risk for global health, which certainly includes 
our own in this country. Addressing the AIDS epidemic, tuberculosis, 
and malaria not only benefits the health of those individuals, it is 
going to stabilize communities and regions that are devastating. And, 
yes, it is going to help us at home as we work to alleviate global 
issues of health, safety and security.
  The SARS epidemic provides the most recent, graphic, current example 
of the need to address epidemics at a global level before they affect 
us here in America. I hope we can reflect not just on the hard work of 
the administration, our chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), active leaders like 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), but reflect on how when the 
legislative process works when we put the imperative of problem solving 
ahead of political concerns.
  We have more at stake these days than just dealing with the AIDS 
epidemic. I hope that this will be a template not just moving forward 
in this critical area, important as it is, but this is the way that we 
can solve homeland security issues, economic issues, and the great 
issues on the international arena as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend our friends who were there, and I urge 
adoption of the rule and moving forward with approval of this and then 
going home this weekend thinking about what we have accomplished, how 
we have done it and where we can take it from here.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings). I 
reiterate and strongly believe there are few things that we could do 
more important than what we are going to do today. I am very proud to 
have been able to bring forward this rule to provide for consideration 
of this extraordinarily important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the 
previous question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________