First Lady Joins In Fight Against Malaria

President To Join Laura Bush In Hosting Summit On Combating The Disease

(CBS)  Malaria isn't a concern for Americans, but in other parts of the world, especially Africa, it kills 1 million and 3 million people each year. A child dies from the disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, every three seconds.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush are hosting a summit called the "Challenge of Malaria in Africa," which brings together international experts, non-governmental organizations, corporations and several African organizations to discuss measures for controlling the disease.

"This is a disease that's preventable," Mrs. Bush told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "We had malaria in the United States. In fact, the story is that Washington was a hardship post for diplomats when there was malaria on the Potomac. We have eradicated it in the United States generations ago, so people don't have a memory of it."

The summit will also be attended by Melinda Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Margaret Chan, the new director-general of the U.N. World Health Organization. It focuses on raising malaria awareness, mobilizing large organizations to help fight the disease and spurring grassroots efforts to take action against the disease.

Mrs. Bush said people can help through "groups like Malaria No More, which is a way people in the United States can give $10 to buy mosquito nets to save a life."

"If a child can give $10 in the United States, they can save the life of a child in Africa," Mrs. Bush said. "That's especially sweet and a direct way to reach people in Africa."

At the summit, President Bush will announce which African countries will receive malaria funding as part of the government's $1.2 billion initiative. The Gates Foundation is donating $83 million to fight the disease.

"The President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) was introduced in 2005, in its first three target countries, including Angola and Tanzania," Mrs. Bush said. "In Tanzania, some communities there, that have already receives PMI funds in the last year had 450-something cases of malaria and then in this last year, only eight. So with very strategic targeting, using the nets, using direct spraying and educating people ... you can eradicate it."

Meanwhile, President Bush continues to be criticized about his handling of the war in Iraq. Many Americans do not believe that he will cooperate with the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. The president says he will announce a new course of action early next year.

"He's meeting with groups," Mrs. Bush said. "Of course, he has already heard the Iraq Study Group's proposals; met with the pentagon yesterday. His new secretary (of defense), Bob Gates, will be sworn in next week and give him a chance to work as well and not preempt him with the announcement earlier … I suspect there will be a very good strategy for going ahead, but I also think that strategy will include victory."

[randalds]

They do look like they could be fun in a Paris Hilton *** kind of way, but I'm afraid they don't make condoms thick enough for me feel safe with either of them.

[patriotic9]

What about her daughters?What they do else partying,drinking,etc.I like the fat one,she is cute.

[randalds]

No wonder he's chasing Condi around. I mean after looking into those blank eyes for so long wouldn't you grab something on the side?

[randalds]

That's it for sure. She looks like she only capable of the thoughts Rove programs into her on a daily basis. She looks "hollow" like there's nothing behind those blank eyes. And it seems to be a common look among wives of republican politicians. Like I said i swear they run them off in a factory somewhere and issue them to these "men" when they run for office as republicans. A perfect robot guaranteed to "stand by her man" while looking adoringly up at them and not express an original thought of her own to make waves.

[grumpas]

That's called brainwashing RandalDS! Tom Cuises new wife has that same vacant look!

[randalds]

Are you kidding? Have you seen the two pictures of her above in this stroy? have you looked at her eyes? Sends a chill down my spine and I'm not easily frightened! It's like looking ito the eyes of one of pod people in "Night of the living dead".

[cbelster]

Wow. Frankly I am amazed by this blog. Good thing we are looking into new sources of energy because the coal in these peoples stockings may come in handy.

One must recognize that neither is a First Lady elected, nor is she compensated directly for her efforts. Her initiatives are hers and hers alone... and often thankless. Additionally, its people like the critics here who promote Darwin at its extreme and sense at its minimum.

For those who are skeptical of the First Ladys efforts, I recommend taking a small family trip outside your local neighborhood to investigate the world around you and the challenges it faces.

Be careful though, education is dangerous%u2026

fortunately, we have nothing to fear from this group.

Between AIDS and Malaria we will not have to worry too much about Africa contributing to the world health problems in the future, I'd send them a ten million condoms if I knew thew would stop using it as bubble gum

[randalds]

My sister's dolls used to have that same phony smile and vacant look in their eyes. Frightening that you see it on someone who is allegedly a functional human being. If she tried to move her mouth into any other expression her face would crak and fall off. She's a robot.

[randalds]

Composure? Hell that's not composure, it's called being heavily medicated! Or just plain brain dead.

[bellal-2009]

Laura Bush is a gracious first lady. I've admired her composure during these difficult years.

[bluestardad]

Laura get the Dicktater outta your face and tell the truth!

[randalds]

Oh come on! Laura Bush is a classic example of a plastic smiling republican politicians stepford wife! I mean they run them off one a factory in Texas somewhere complete with a vacant look (except when looking up in adoration at "her man") and a hollow head. The ones who are wives of those who become republican politician are sent off to the same factory for a "tune up" which involves complete removal of a life or original thought of her own. Who cares what projects Rove puts together to make her look involved when it's all cr*ap anyway! Do us all a favor Laura and go back to the bottle with Georgie!