Barbara Lee Commemorates World AIDS Orphans Day
Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of World AIDS Orphans Day, which is commemorated every year on May 7th.
“Over 15 million children have already lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS, 12 million of which live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“By 2010 there could be 20 million.
“Children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS are left without food, shelter, education, or protection.
“Three years ago we enacted legislation I authored with Chairman Henry Hyde to better focus and coordinate our foreign assistance programs to address the unique needs of these kids.
“Last month the House passed legislation, named after former Chairman Tom Lantos and Chairman Hyde, to reauthorize and provide $50 billion for our global 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 pass this important bill.
“Together we can create a brighter, safer, and more secure future for all the world’s children.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Appropriations Committee. She co-authored legislation creating the framework for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, and legislation on orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2005.
# # #