IV 

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; 


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•HCON 123 IH 

Whereas 90 percent of children living with HIV are in subSaharan 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 subSaharan 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, alVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:52 May 11, 2012 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC123.IH HC123

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•HCON 123 IH 

lowing approximately 200,000 infants to be born HIVfree; 

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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes that the prevention of mother-to4 child transmission of HIV is critical to stopping the 

5 spread of HIV worldwide; 

6 (2) recognizes that the fight to eliminate pedi7 atric HIV has been a priority area in the United 

8 States AIDS response for the past decade, and that 

9 this leadership should continue; 

10 (3) supports providing women with HIV coun11 seling and testing services where possible, and scal12 ing up access to services that prevent mother-to13 child transmission of HIV; 


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•HCON 123 IH 

1 (4) calls for greater access to more efficacious 

2 antiretroviral drug regimens for the health of women 

3 and children living with HIV and as prophylaxis to 

4 stop HIV transmission from mother-to-child during 

5 pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding; and 

6 (5) fully support United States led, and inter7 national efforts, to create a generation free of HIV, 

8 to eliminate new pediatric HIV infections worldwide, 

9 and to keep the mothers of that generation alive. 

Æ 


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