IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 550 

Recognizing the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’ on June 16, 2009, devoted 

to the theme of child survival and to emphasize the importance of 

reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 16, 2009 

Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. LEE

of California, Mr. BERMAN, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, and Mr. 

BOOZMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’ on June 16, 

2009, devoted to the theme of child survival and to 

emphasize the importance of reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa. 

Whereas the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’ has been celebrated 

on June 16 each year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organization of African Unity; 

Whereas the African Union has designated child survival as 

the theme of the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’, June 16, 

2009; 

Whereas the African Union Heads of State and Government 

decided to make child survival a theme of their 15th Ordinary Session in July 2010; 


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•HRES 550 IH 

Whereas according to the United Nations Children’s Fund 

(UNICEF), sub-Saharan Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive; 

Whereas every year in sub-Saharan Africa, 1.2 million babies 

die in the first month of life and roughly 1 in every 6 

children fail to reach their fifth birthday, and the actual 

number of children under five years old dying each year 

is increasing; 

Whereas an estimated 9 out of 10 women in sub-Saharan Africa will lose a child during their lifetime, and an estimated 700 women will die each day of pregnancy-related 

causes; 

Whereas the top five killers of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are preventable diseases (neonatal causes, 

such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, and HIV/AIDS) which we know how to treat and 

cure; 

Whereas the high level of maternal and child mortality and 

morbidity in Africa can be attributed, according to African Union Ministers of Health, to weak health systems, 

a low level of skilled attendance at birth, poor health infrastructure, and inadequate financial resources; 

Whereas some sub-Saharan African countries have sustained 

high annual rates of reduction in child mortality through 

strong political will, sufficient investment, and concerted 

action; 

Whereas over the past three decades, United States international child survival and maternal health programs 

have helped save millions of lives in Africa and elsewhere; 

and 


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•HRES 550 IH 

Whereas last year the G8 Summit leaders, meeting in 

Hokkaido, Japan, stated on July 8, 2008, ‘‘We reiterate 

our support to our African partners’ commitment to ensure that by 2015 all children have access to basic health 

care (free wherever countries choose to provide this).’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’; 

3 (2) affirms its solidarity to address the chal4 lenge of maternal, newborn, and child mortality; 

5 (3) salutes the health professionals and commu6 nity health workers on the front lines in Africa who 

7 are extending health care and hope to families 

8 across the continent; and 

9 (4) reaffirms the importance of United States 

10 partnership with African leaders and communities in 

11 reducing child, newborn, and maternal deaths from 

12 treatable and preventable causes. 

Æ 


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