Congressional Malaria Caucus

Launch of the Congressional Malaria Caucus

A bed net

On April 24th, Reps. Donald M. Payne and John Boozman launched the Congressional Malaria Caucus at a standing-room only event on Capitol Hill. The Caucus co-chairs were joined by First Lady Laura Bush, President’s Malaria Initiative Coordinator Admiral Ziemer and Ray Chambers, UN Special Envoy on Malaria and Founder of Malaria No More. Also in attendance was Melinda Doolittle, American Idol Finalist, who has accompanied Mrs. Bush to Africa and been a leading advocate for helping those suffering from this devastating disease.

"No mother should have to watch her child die from a disease that was caused by a mosquito bite - a disease that's preventable and treatable. Yet that's exactly what happens every 30 seconds in Africa, where malaria is the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. In some African nations, malaria takes as many lives as HIV/AIDS –- and the vast majority of these fatalities are young children," Mrs. Bush stated. "This caucus shows the world that American leaders have come together to fight malaria, and that the commitment of the United States to preventing millions of unnecessary deaths caused by this disease is real and long-lasting."

On the morning of the Congressional Malaria Caucus, Malaria No More Chairman Peter Chernin and Melinda Doolittle appeared on Fox Morning News to discuss the importance of raising awareness about malaria and, particularly, how raising awareness leads to lives saved. They emphasized that a $10 bednet can cover a mother and two of her children while they sleep and protect them from contracting malaria. [Watch the video]

Congressional Malaria Caucus Overview

The purpose of the Congressional Malaria Caucus is to raise awareness of the United States’ and the international community’s fight against the malaria epidemic and to support increased efforts to stem its tide. It recognizes that though real progress has been made, much more must be done. The caucus supports the deployment of key malaria interventions including insecticide-treated nets and effective medications and the strong funding of bi- and multi-lateral programs including the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Members of the Congressional Malaria Caucus

  1. Payne (D-NJ) co-chair
  2. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
  3. Smith (R-NJ)
  4. Lee (D-CA)
  5. Wexler (D-FL)
  6. Engel (D-NY)
  7. Faleomavaega (D-AS)
  8. Meeks (D-NY)
  9. Woolsey (D-CA)
  10. Berman (D-CA)
  11. Boozman (R-AR) co-chair
  12. Dicks (D-WA)
  13. Carnahan (D-MO)
  14. Christensen (D-VI)
  15. Jefferson (D-LA)
  16. Reichert (R-WA)
  17. Miller (D-NC)
  18. Snyder (D-AR)
  19. Delahunt (D-MA)
  20. Ackerman (D-NY)
  21. Sherman (D-CA)
  22. Watson (D-CA)

"Statement of Malaria No More Policy Director Laurie Rubiner on the announcement of the Congressional Malaria Caucuas." (168KB, PDF) April 24, 2008 .