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, new-
born, 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 initi-
ated 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 Or-
dinary 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 dif-
ficult 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 Af-
rica will lose a child during their lifetime, and an esti-
mated 700 women will die each day of pregnancy-related 
causes; 
Whereas the top five killers of children under five in sub-Sa-
haran Africa are preventable diseases (neonatal causes, 
such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, malaria, diar-
rhea, 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 Afri-
can Union Ministers of Health, to weak health systems, 
a low level of skilled attendance at birth, poor health in-
frastructure, 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 inter-
national 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 en-
sure that by 2015 all children have access to basic health 
care (free wherever countries choose to provide this).’’: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the ‘‘Day of the African Child’’; 
(2) affirms its solidarity to address the chal-
lenge of maternal, newborn, and child mortality; 
(3) salutes the health professionals and commu-
nity health workers on the front lines in Africa who 
are extending health care and hope to families 
across the continent; and 
(4) reaffirms the importance of United States 
partnership with African leaders and communities in 
reducing child, newborn, and maternal deaths from 
treatable and preventable causes. 
Æ 
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