William H. Frist: “diplomacy and foreign policy are essential pillars of our national security. They reflect the values, principles, views…”

“diplomacy and foreign policy are essential pillars of our national security. They reflect the values, principles, views and interests of the American people. They are central to advancing the United States role and stature in the world. This year, for the first time ever, we are earmarking specific funds in the Foreign Operations bill to advance a specific cause. This year, we are legislating a direct appropriation of $200 million to advance the cause of clean water and sanitation--$50 million specifically targeted toward Africa. In America, we take clean water for granted. Water to drink. Water to bathe in. But in other parts of the world, clean water is a scarcity and the results are devastating. Every 15 seconds a child dies because of a disease contracted from unclean water. Ninety percent of infant deaths are caused by unclean water. Water-related disease kills 14,000 people a day, most of them children. Millions more are debilitated and prevented from leading healthy lives. Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, dengue fever, trachoma, intestinal helminth infection, and schistosomiasis can all be prevented simply by providing safe water and sanitation. Unfortunately, reliable projections suggest that the problem is only growing worse. Water stress and water scarcity, leading to impure and disease borne water, is expected to increase. By 2025, upwards of two- thirds of the world's population may be subject to water stress.…”