[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 30 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 30


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 14, 2005

                                Received

                           February 17, 2005

  Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness 
                                  Day.

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control (``CDC'') has stated that, at the end of 
        2003, over 172,000 African Americans were living with AIDS, representing 
        42 percent of all cases in the United States;
Whereas the CDC has further stated that, in 2003, African Americans accounted 
        for 50 percent of all new HIV

infections, despite representing only about 12.3 percent of the population 
(according to the 2000 Census);

Whereas the CDC estimates that, in 2003, African American women represented 67 
        percent of all new AIDS cases among women, and were 23 times more likely 
        to be infected than white women;
Whereas the CDC estimates that 69 percent of all children born to HIV infected 
        mothers in 2003 were African American;
Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of HIV infection among 
        African American men is sexual contact with other men, followed by 
        intravenous drug use and heterosexual contact;
Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of HIV infection among 
        African American women is heterosexual contact, followed by intravenous 
        drug use;
Whereas, in 2000, AIDS was among the top three causes of death for African 
        American men in the age group 25 through 54, and African American women 
        in the age group 35 through 44;
Whereas the CDC estimates that, since 1994, African Americans have the poorest 
        survival rates of any racial or ethnic group diagnosed with AIDS, with 
        55 percent surviving after 9 years compared to 61 percent of Hispanics, 
        64 percent of whites, and 69 percent of Asian Pacific Islanders;
Whereas, in 1998, the Congress and the Clinton Administration created the 
        National Minority AIDS Initiative to help coordinate funding, build 
        capacity, and provide prevention, care, and treatment services within 
        the African American, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Native 
        American communities;
Whereas, in 1999, the CDC provided funding to five national nonprofit 
        organizations known as the Community Capacity Building Coalition 
        (``CCBC''): Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch 
        Information and Promotion Services, Jackson State University--
        Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism & 
        Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS;
Whereas the CCBC assists with leadership development of community-based 
        organizations (``CBOs''), establishes and links provider networks, 
        builds community prevention infrastructure, promotes technical 
        assistance among CBOs, and raises awareness among African-American 
        communities;
Whereas, on February 23, 2001, the CCBC organized the first annual National 
        Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, whose slogan is ``Get Educated, Get 
        Involved, Get Tested''; and
Whereas February 7 of each year is now recognized as National Black HIV/AIDS 
        Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/
        AIDS Awareness Day and recognizes the fifth anniversary of 
        observing such day;
            (2) encourages State and local governments, including their 
        public health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize its 
        importance among their communities, and to encourage 
        individuals to undergo testing for HIV;
            (3) encourages national, State, and local media 
        organizations to carry messages in support of National Black 
        HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
            (4) commends the President for highlighting HIV/AIDS in the 
        State of the Union address; for emphasizing the importance of 
        addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African American 
        community, especially among African American women; as well as 
        international efforts to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic;
            (5) encourages enactment of effective HIV prevention 
        programs, including ABC programs like those implemented in 
        Uganda, which recognizes abstinence and being faithful to one's 
        lifetime partner as effective ways to prevent HIV; and
            (6) encourages States to enact HIV surveillance programs 
        consistent with recognized infectious disease control methods 
        to ensure accurate data, better targeting of resources, and 
        improved delivery of health services to those living with HIV.

            Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2005.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.