MALARIA NO MORE APPLAUDS SELECTION OF SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON AS SECRETARY OF STATE

New York, NEW YORK - The following is a statement from Peter Chernin, Chairman, Malaria No More, on President-elect Barack Obama's decision to name Senator Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State:

Malaria No More applauds the selection of Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.  Senator Clinton is a proven leader who will strengthen our country's image throughout the world while also serving as an effective and passionate global health advocate.  As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton will not only help build a more secure world, she will support our world's children, making them happy, healthy and, ultimately, productive members of the global community.

With Hillary Clinton at the helm of the State Department, the United State's leadership role in combating malaria will not only continue, it will flourish. The global malaria community knows first-hand of Senator Clinton's commitment to ending malaria deaths.  She has not closed her eyes to the fact that 3000 children die every day in Africa from malaria. As First Lady, she saw first-hand the real devastation that malaria causes.  In 2007, she brought malaria to the forefront of the Presidential debate by outlining a $1 billion per year U.S. pledge to the fight against malaria.  Now, as Secretary of State, we know that she will bring her compassion and strength to fulfill hers and President-elect Obama's commitment to eliminate malaria deaths by 2015.

Malaria No More looks forward to working with Senator Clinton and President-elect Obama as they tackle the many challenges that lie ahead.  And while we know that the global financial crisis will mean difficult decisions must be made, there is no question that an investment in defeating malaria is an investment that has and will continue to reap extraordinary dividends.  We eradicated malaria in the United States in the 1950s.  With the leadership of Senator Clinton, Vice President-elect Biden and President-elect Obama, we now have the extraordinary opportunity to rid malaria from the planet.