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The lead singer of the Irish group U2 — and perennial advocate for anti-poverty programs — on Tuesday joined with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and other lawmakers seeking to expand basic education around the world.
"I can't vote for any of them, but I'm thankful for what they're doing," Bono said from Ireland during a conference call with legislators. "This is why I'm a fan — and an annoying fan at times — of America."
The singer joined Clinton and Reps. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., and Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., in pushing long-dormant legislation that would add $10 billion to a global fund to provide education to millions of children in Africa and elsewhere.
An estimated 77 million children worldwide — and 38 million in Africa alone — lack access to education up to the sixth grade. Similar data show that the more education a person has, the more money they earn and the less likely they are to be infected with HIV.
The group argued that a generous effort by the United States for the world's poorest children would go a long way toward improving the country's international standing, and reducing the threat of terrorism.
"Young people who are reading books aren't building bombs," said Bachus.
A version of the bill was offered in 2004, but with only Democratic sponsors it went nowhere. Bono and others are hopeful a bipartisan effort could advance the measure.
Action by the United States would also compel European nations to offer even more, Bono argued.
"The United States is just one-third of this. Your money will be certainly doubled up and I will be working on trebling it. I think we can guarantee the double," he said.
Gene Sperling, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, said Washington is slowly warming to the notion that advancing education abroad helps combat problems of poverty, HIV/AIDS and hunger.
"In 2004, it was partisan legislation that seemed like a pipe dream, and the earth has shifted some on the issue of education in developing countries," said Sperling.
Bono has launched a second career of activism, largely focused on development issues in Africa. He has co-founded organizations to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS and to forgive debt.
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