John W. Olver: “Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1298 is the best bill the full House has ever considered on the international HIV/AIDS crisis. This…”

“Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1298 is the best bill the full House has ever considered on the international HIV/AIDS crisis. This bill provides $1.7 billion in fiscal 2004 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Our support for the Global Fund demonstrates American commitment to the international fight against HIV/AIDS and is vital for gaining funds from other donor countries. In his State of the Union address President Bush announced his 5-year plan to fight HIV/AIDS but he only allotted $200 million each year to the Global Fund. This bill greatly increases the U.S. commitment to the Global Fund. As HIV/AIDS ravages Africa, the Caribbean and now explodes in Asia and the former Soviet Union, clearly no single nation has the ability to prevent the spread of AIDS or to adequately treat its victims. This international disease must be stopped with international and multi-lateral action. Mr. Speaker, we must support this bill and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria. It is the least we can do.”