If you're ever asked to name one good thing that George W. Bush has done while in office, remember this word: PEPFAR. This lifesaving program, first authorized in 2003, saved the lives of millions of Africans suffering from the ravages of AIDS, malaria, and TB.
This isn't just a humanitarian issue, it's an issue of national security. As Bill Frist recently said "People don't go to war against people who save their children's lives." Today Jim Webb joined 79 other senators in supporting the reauthorization and expansion of the program. It's a banner day for the US Senate and part of the reason why Africa is one of the few continents where America's standing has actually increased over the course of the past decade.
WEBB SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF INTERNATIONAL AIDS RELIEF PACKAGEIncreases Funding For Global Infectious Disease Prevention
Washington, DC - Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today supported compromise legislation that authorizes $50 billion for the prevention, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria overseas for the next five years. The bill, commonly referred to as PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), was passed by the House on April 2nd by a vote of 308 to 116.
The bill prioritizes prevention as the most critical component in slowing the global pandemic of HIV/AIDS. The plan aims to increase access to counseling, testing and treatment programs in an effort to prevent 12 million new HIV infections over the next five years. The program also provides support services for 12 million people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including 5 million orphans and children and expands affected countries' health workforce to help achieve staffing levels recommended by the World Health Organization.
"As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I believe that it is in our national strategic interest to advance programs that encourage stability in countries ravaged by these diseases," said Senator Jim Webb. "I am pleased today that Congress committed substantial financial resources towards fighting the pandemic of HIV/AIDS abroad that has devastated so many peoples' lives."
As one of Bush's only legacy programs, PEPFAR will almost certainly be signed into law. This brings America into a true leadership position in pursuit of the fulfillment of the G8's obligations to the Millenium Development Goals. It was a result of a vast, multi-year effort pursued by humanitarian, ngo, and faith organizations around the world.
This is American courage at it's finest. Even in the face of fearsome challenges at home, we are still capable of the greatness that made us the moral leaders of the world. That should give everyone hope.