May 9, 2025
Former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s (R-FL) remarks at 2025 World Malaria Day reception
On April 29th, Friends’ board member and former U.S. representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen joined Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and former Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) in providing remarks at a World Malaria Day congressional reception hosted by Malaria No More.
See an excerpt from her remarks below:
Written Remarks:
Last year, as you heard, for the first time in 30 years, we saw domestic transmissions in my home state of Florida, in Texas and in Maryland.
These programs [The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the President’s Malaria Initiative], they protect our troops. Malaria is one of the most significant health threats facing deployed American service members. Isn’t that amazing? That’s why the Department of Defense has played a key role in developing every malaria treatment and vaccine over the past 30 years. Let’s give an applause to the DOD.
These programs also make America stronger because by enhancing global security and global stability, they help prevent unrest and even terrorism in fragile states. They counter China’s influence in strategic areas like Africa and Asia where the goodwill generated by our health programs can limit the spread of China’s belt and road initiative. And they reinforce America’s leadership on the world stage.
When we invest in global health, we strengthen alliances and we increase our diplomatic leverage. And yes, malaria programs make America more prosperous: US-led malaria research fuels innovation in biotechnology, benefiting health outcomes here at home and around the world. Malaria free regions have stronger economies—creating more demand for American goods and services. In fact, if African countries hit their malaria targets, the US stands to gain nearly $1.5 billion dollar in additional exports—amazing!
Prevention saves money — billions of taxpayer dollars by avoiding expensive outbreaks. And American businesses thrive in stable, healthy markets—that means more jobs, more trade and more opportunity.
In short, sustained US leadership in the fight against malaria is not only a humanitarian duty, it’s a strategic, economic and moral imperative. It must be part of this America First movement. By maintaining funding for these vital programs, we make our country safer, stronger and more prosperous while saving and improving millions of lives around the world. This can be done—si se puede.