ONE Campaign Statement on President Bush’s State of the Union Address

“As President Bush outlined in his State of the Union address, America has shown a clear commitment to saving lives through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). Today, hundreds of thousands of people in Africa and around the world are alive because of America’s historic promises. By continuing to cancel unfair debts, working to make trade fair and fully funding the fight against global disease and extreme poverty in the FY 2008 budget, we can do even more.

“The President’s upcoming budget request and Congressional consideration of the 2008 budget will be crucial to America continuing our leadership in providing critical life-saving assistance to combat global infectious disease and poverty. Increasing effective international assistance supports our diplomatic engagement in the world and demonstrates who we are as Americans, people of hope, compassion and generosity.

“From basic education for all children to access to clean water and life-saving medicines for all who need them, ONE will continue calling on America to fully fund these initiatives and help give the world’s poorest people the tools they need to fight back against global disease and extreme poverty and win.”