Idols against malaria on the Hill

This week, the Malaria No More Policy Center hosted an event on Capitol Hill, recognizing members of Congress committed to fighting malaria around the world. They also brought along some special guests in former American Idol contestants Elliot Yamin (Season 5), Jason Castro (Season 7) and Melinda Doolittle (Season 6).

The Idols have partnered with Malaria No More as they work to reach a goal of near zero malaria deaths by 2015.

Senator Coons, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on African Affairs, also co-chairs the bipartisan Senate Working Group on Malaria.

Malaria, an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of deaths occurring in Africa.  In June, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution Chris sponsored in support of World Malaria Day, and affirming support for U.S. leadership to combat malaria as a critical component of the President’s Global Health Initiative.

Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) spoke at the event.  The American Idol contestants were vocal about their support for the fight against malaria and were grateful their celebrity gives them a platform from which to speak out for the cause.

Melinda Doolittle recalled a visit from Bono during the filming of American Idol, saying, “He said, ‘you have this platform and millions of people are seeing you sing, but what you are going to do with the platform?’” She cited this question as her inspiration to become more active in the Malaria No More project.

This bipartisan event highlighted the cooperation and support for the fight against malaria on Capitol Hill, and the sense that even in a tough political climate, some issues can still bring people together.