Schakowsky Statement in Support of Global HIV/AIDS Bill

SCHAKOWSKY STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL HIV/AIDS BILL

Washington, D.C.–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record today in support of H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. H.R. 5501 would authorize $50 billion for the United States' bilateral and multilateral programs to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria for fiscal years 2009 through 2013.

"I want to commend the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee for their work in bringing such a strong reauthorization before us today.

In an Op-Ed that appeared in the Washington Post a few weeks ago, Michael Gerson wrote that in voting for this bill, members of Congress can participate in "something extraordinary — a true miracle of science and conscience, and politics at its noblest....

When the emergency plan for aids was first announced, there were approximately 50,000 people on AIDS drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. Today there are roughly 1.4 million, so I share Mr. Gerson's enthusiasm for this bill, and I am proud of the statement we will make as a Congress by passing it.

I am also extremely encouraged by provisions in the Senate bill that will play a key role in the development of safe and effective microbicides. I hope that in conference, the Committee will look at these microbicides provisions, which hold great promise to save the lives of millions of women as part of a comprehensive program to stem the spread of global AIDS.

I am so pleased to be able to lend my voice in support of this critical and imperative bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Thank you."