Malaria No More welcomes Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) as the new co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. We also thank Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), outgoing co-chair of the Caucus, for his leadership and commitment to ending malaria.
Congressman Crenshaw will help to lead the Caucus as the Republican Co-Chair along with Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), continuing the bipartisan leadership the Caucus has exhibited since its launch. Congressman Crenshaw has been a key supporter of foreign aid, serving as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Effective Foreign Aid, recognizing, especially in these times of austerity, that each dollar must be used effectively and efficiently. His unique experience and expertise will help ensure that the U.S. continues to make smart, targeted investments to lead the fight against malaria through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
“I am thrilled Congressman Crenshaw will co-chair the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases with Congressman Meeks and thank both of them for their commitment to ending malaria. The leadership of the United States has helped save millions of lives from this preventable and treatable disease, and, with continued bipartisan support from Congress, we will end malaria deaths. I thank Congressman Crenshaw for taking this important leadership role as a long-time Member of the Caucus, and thank him for his important voice in the malaria fight. We look forward to working in partnership with him to end malaria,” said Malaria No More CEO, Martin Edlund. “I also thank Congressman Fortenberry for his dedicated service as the outgoing Republican co-chair of the Malaria Caucus, helping recruit and educate other Members of Congress to the cause, and I look forward to working with him as he remains an important voice on the caucus.”
Congressman Fortenberry has been a strong voice for U.S. investment in the fight against malaria, often citing the large return on investment the U.S. receives through targeted foreign aid programs. With less than one percent of our federal budget, investments in programs such as PMI and the Global Fund save millions of lives around the world, projecting American compassion while promoting stability, building diplomacy and creating economic opportunities. Congressman Fortenberry’s bold leadership and work was honored last year at the Malaria Champions Breakfast with the Congressman Donald M. Payne Memorial Award.
