Bono pushes US education

"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 Representatives Nita Lowey and Spencer Bachus in pushing long-dormant legislation that would add $10 billion (328.5 billion baht) 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. - AP