WASHINGTON – A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Working Group on Malaria, passed the Senate unanimously on Monday. The resolution supports the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, and affirmed support for U.S. leadership to combat malaria as a critical component of the President’s Global Health Initiative.
“During my time studying and working in Africa, I witnessed first-hand the havoc that malaria has had on entire villages, especially on women, children, and those most in need and susceptible,” said Senator Coons, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. “Three million people die yearly from this preventable disease. The best way to improve life expectancy and engage in effective prevention efforts is to empower communities and governments with the tools and resources they need to save the lives of their people.”
“Malaria is devastating, but it can be prevented,” Senator Wicker said. “It is important to bring attention to the efforts that have been made toward eliminating this terrible disease.”
Malaria is an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, found most prevalently in the developing world. Ninety percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa and the majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old.
The resolution aims to raise awareness about malaria prevention efforts. Specifically, it expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the following issues:
The bipartisan resolution, S.Con.Res.15, was cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).
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