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H. Res. 67
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
March 20, 2001.
Whereas tuberculosis is a horrible disease that is preventable and treatable;
Whereas one third of the world's population is infected with the TB bacteria,
including between 10 and 15 million people in the United States;
Whereas someone in the world dies of TB every 15 seconds;
Whereas TB will kill more people this year than any other year in history;
Whereas TB rates are substantially higher for minorities in the United States;
Whereas African Americans suffer from TB at a rate that is eight times greater
than that of Caucasians, Latinos at six times greater, Native Americans
at five times greater and Asians at a rate of nearly fifteen times
greater;
Whereas a substantial number of States have TB rates above the national average,
the highest rates being found in Texas, Hawaii, California, Alaska,
Florida, Georgia, and New York;
Whereas the increased threat of TB emerging in the United States is an
unavoidable byproduct of increased international travel, commerce, and
migration;
Whereas leading TB experts agree that in order to control TB in the United
States, it is necessary to control TB in the developing countries that
contribute the vast majority of the global TB burden and are the
destination of tens of thousands of American visitors each year; and
Whereas it is possible to control tuberculosis worldwide, as the global
community eradicated smallpox and may soon eradicate polio, if the
worldwide political will to do so is found: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the importance of increasing United States investment
in international tuberculosis control within the foreign aid budget for
fiscal year 2002;
(2) recognizes the importance of supporting and expanding domestic
efforts to eliminate TB in the United States; and
(3) calls upon local, national and global leaders, including the
President of the United States, to commit to putting an end to the
worldwide TB epidemic.
Attest:
Clerk.
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