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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 123 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 123

Recognizing the potential for the virtual elimination of pediatric HIV 
            and AIDS and keeping HIV positive mothers alive.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2012

     Mr. Franks of Arizona (for himself, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Lee of 
  California, Mr. Waxman, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Waters, Ms. Clarke of New 
York, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Moore, Mr. Berman, Mr. Jackson of 
Illinois, Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Marino, 
   Mr. Carter, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 
and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the potential for the virtual elimination of pediatric HIV 
            and AIDS and keeping HIV positive mothers alive.

Whereas despite global efforts, 1,000 children around the world still contract 
        HIV each day, the majority through mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
Whereas approximately half of the 34 million people living with HIV around the 
        world are women, and 3.4 million are children as of 2010;
Whereas 90 percent of children living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa;
Whereas as of 2010 only 23 percent of children in need were receiving 
        antiretroviral therapy;
Whereas without any medical attention, half of all HIV-positive children will 
        die before their second birthday without diagnosis and treatment;
Whereas a quarter of a million children worldwide died of AIDS-related illness 
        in 2010;
Whereas over 15 million women of childbearing age were living with HIV in 2010;
Whereas nearly 90 percent of HIV-positive expectant mothers in need of services 
        worldwide live in 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and India;
Whereas the United States began investing in prevention of mother-to-child 
        transmission (PMTCT) services in 2002 with the announcement of the 
        United States International Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative;
Whereas in 2005 only 14 percent of women were receiving prevention of mother-to-
        child transmission services and that number is now nearly 50 percent;
Whereas when antiretroviral drugs are used as prophylaxis, mother-to-child 
        transmission of HIV can be reduced to less than 5 percent;
Whereas in fiscal year 2011, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
        (PEPFAR) directly supported HIV testing and counseling for more than 9.8 
        million pregnant women and provision of antiretroviral drug prophylaxis 
        to prevent mother-to-child transmission for more than 660,000 of these 
        women who tested positive for HIV, allowing approximately 200,000 
        infants to be born HIV-free;
Whereas in June 2011, the United States joined UNAIDS and over 70 partner 
        countries, international and civil society organizations and private 
        sector entities in launching the Global Plan towards the Elimination of 
        New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers 
        Alive;
Whereas 90 percent of pediatric HIV infections are from mother-to-child 
        transmission, 100 percent are preventable;
Whereas every mother should have the opportunity to fight for the life of her 
        child; and
Whereas every family should have the opportunity to keep its mother healthy and 
        alive: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes that the prevention of mother-to-child 
        transmission of HIV is critical to stopping the spread of HIV 
        worldwide;
            (2) recognizes that the fight to eliminate pediatric HIV 
        has been a priority area in the United States AIDS response for 
        the past decade, and that this leadership should continue;
            (3) supports providing women with HIV counseling and 
        testing services where possible, and scaling up access to 
        services that prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
            (4) calls for greater access to more efficacious 
        antiretroviral drug regimens for the health of women and 
        children living with HIV and as prophylaxis to stop HIV 
        transmission from mother-to-child during pregnancy, delivery, 
        and breastfeeding; and
            (5) fully support United States led, and international 
        efforts, to create a generation free of HIV, to eliminate new 
        pediatric HIV infections worldwide, and to keep the mothers of 
        that generation alive.
                                 <all>
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