Political Quotes

“AIDS is a very important and security issue in our country and across the world. I thank the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Leach) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), my ranking member, for proceeding on the issue of a Marshall Plan for Africa. The epidemic and devastating effects of AIDS have impacted our country greater than the deaths attributed to war. The United Nations reported that while war and conflict took about 200,000 people in 1998, AIDS and HIV took about 2.2 million. I recall, in fact, having had an opportunity to go to an Africa Today conference in Seattle. At that Seattle conference, an epidemiologist testified that there were grandparents in Africa taking care of as many as 25 to 30 of their grandchildren because their children have been devastated by the disease of AIDS. The United Nations took up the security issue on the issue of AIDS this year when seven of the great leaders from the continent of Africa were there to talk to the United Nations. I am pleased that my colleagues have supported and presented this issue, and I rise in support of H.R. 3519 and thank my ranking member for the opportunity to be heard.”