Washington, D.C.-On the first-ever World Malaria Day, Senators Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama reiterated their commitments to tackling malaria in Africa and other places overwhelmed by a disease that still steals more than one million lives worldwide each year.

The ONE Campaign, a global advocacy organization with millions of U.S. members, is working with each major candidate to win commitments on policies to fight extreme poverty and preventable diseases such as malaria.

ONE President and CEO David Lane applauded Clinton, McCain and Obama for their World Malaria Day statements, and pressed them to strengthen their commitments to combat this and other global diseases.

“America eradicated malaria here at home in 1949. Yet today in Africa, malaria remains the largest killer of children under age five. We can stop this disease with inexpensive and effective bed nets and treatments, but still, each year, the disease claims the lives of more than one million people worldwide and makes up to 500 million people extremely ill.

“The fight against malaria is primed for the next president. The ONE Campaign is pleased that the candidates have given those suffering needlessly from malaria the attention they so desperately deserve, and ONE members will continue to encourage the candidates to speak out on the challenges and opportunities facing those who need our help, the people living in extreme poverty.”

Today, Clinton, McCain and Obama released statements commemorating World Malaria Day. Excerpts and links to those statements are available here:

Senator Hillary Clinton:

“If we act boldly, we can win the fight against malaria. We can end the needless death and suffering of millions and move toward the long-term goal of completely eradicating malaria from the planet. And by raising hope, opportunity and human dignity for millions, we can help restore America’s moral leadership around the world.”

Click here for Sen. Clinton’s complete statement.

Senator John McCain:

“Malaria kills more than a million people a year in Africa — and a child every thirty seconds,” said Sen. McCain. “Yet it is well within our grasp to defeat this disease. If elected President, I will pledge to end malaria in Africa.”

Click here for Sen. McCain’s complete statement.

Senator Barack Obama:

“Today, we commemorate the global efforts underway to control malaria and its devastating impact. World Malaria Day provides a valuable opportunity to take stock of progress, share scientific advances and successful strategies, and assess the work that still needs to be done.”

In addition to today’s statements, the candidates have pledged throughout the course of the campaign to increase efforts to fight malaria as president if elected.

At a speech at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, Sen. Clinton announced a plan to eliminate deaths on the continent on Africa. She committed to spend $1 billion per year towards this goal.

Sen. McCain has often stated his commitment to establish the goal of eradicating malaria, including in a speech at the LA World Affairs Council and in an article in Foreign Affairs.

Sen. Obama has committed to doubling funding for the President’s Malaria Initiative as well lift a cap on the United States contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

For more information on the presidential candidates’ commitments to malaria and other challenges facing the developing world, please visit www.onevote08.org

ONE Vote ’08 is not endorsing or opposing any candidate, but is encouraging all presidential candidates to address these critical issues.