[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)] [House] [Page H3574] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND THE AIDS EPIDEMIC (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, there is an epidemic of AIDS and HIV in Africa. It is heartbreaking to report this pandemic affecting 42 million souls, 8,500 deaths every day, and entire villages without a single adult. Earlier this week we heard the President describe a compassionate vision of moral obligation for the American people addressing this crisis that would bring not only $15 billion, but would put a priority on the values of the American people, namely, abstinence and faithfulness to marriage, over condom distribution. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, unless the House amends the bill today and adopts the Hyde-Pitts amendment that specifies that 33 percent of the prevention money will be spent on abstinence and monogamy programs first over and above condom distribution, the global AIDS bill will not reflect the values of the American people or the vision of the President of the United States of America. The timeless values of abstinence and marital faithfulness before condom distribution are the cure for what ails the families of Africa. It is important that we not just send them money, but we must send them values that work. ____________________