March 23, 2006
“TB is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world today. Even though it is completely curable, TB kills over 2 million people worldwide each year.
“As the leading killer of people infected with HIV, it is critical that we address the global tuberculosis pandemic if we are ever going to achieve success in defeating HIV/AIDS.
“This past January, the World Health Organization’s Stop TB Partnership released the Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015: Actions for Life. If fully implemented, the Global Stop TB Strategy will save 15 million lives, treat 50 million people, expand access to TB treatment for all patients, and eliminate TB as a global health problem by 2050.
“As the co-author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which helped establish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and as a co-author of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, I strongly believe that we can and must stop TB.
“That is why I have led the charge in Congress each year to increase funding for our global AIDS, TB and malaria programs. This year we are requesting $7.54 billion to address these three diseases, with a minimum of $1.2 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“I am also an original co-sponsor of the Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2006 which will be introduced in the House of Representatives next week to support the Global Plan to Stop TB.
“I encourage everyone to learn more about TB, as well as the deadly impact of malaria and the global AIDS pandemic on the developing world. With your activism and your help we can dramatically scale up funding to stop these diseases and save the lives of millions of people.”
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Barbara Lee’s Statement on World Tuberculosis Day
(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement on World Tuberculosis Day:“TB is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world today. Even though it is completely curable, TB kills over 2 million people worldwide each year.
“As the leading killer of people infected with HIV, it is critical that we address the global tuberculosis pandemic if we are ever going to achieve success in defeating HIV/AIDS.
“This past January, the World Health Organization’s Stop TB Partnership released the Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015: Actions for Life. If fully implemented, the Global Stop TB Strategy will save 15 million lives, treat 50 million people, expand access to TB treatment for all patients, and eliminate TB as a global health problem by 2050.
“As the co-author of the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which helped establish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and as a co-author of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, I strongly believe that we can and must stop TB.
“That is why I have led the charge in Congress each year to increase funding for our global AIDS, TB and malaria programs. This year we are requesting $7.54 billion to address these three diseases, with a minimum of $1.2 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“I am also an original co-sponsor of the Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act of 2006 which will be introduced in the House of Representatives next week to support the Global Plan to Stop TB.
“I encourage everyone to learn more about TB, as well as the deadly impact of malaria and the global AIDS pandemic on the developing world. With your activism and your help we can dramatically scale up funding to stop these diseases and save the lives of millions of people.”