[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 215 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 215

   Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2009

   Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas (for herself, Mr. Clay, Mr. Conyers, Ms. 
Clarke, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Hastings 
    of Florida, Mr. Rangel, and Ms. Speier) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                              and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the incidence 
        of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have become a global 
        problem of urgent proportions, with an estimated 33,000,000 people 
        living with HIV worldwide;
Whereas as many as 2,700,000 individuals worldwide are infected with HIV yearly;
Whereas 2,000,000 children under the age of 15 have been infected with HIV and 
        as many as 15,000,000 children around the world have been orphaned by 
        AIDS;
Whereas AIDS worldwide is primarily transmitted sexually, with 75 percent of all 
        infections transmitted through heterosexual contact, and education and 
        increased public awareness are the cornerstones of an effective AIDS 
        prevention activity;
Whereas the World Health Organization, in concert with intergovernmental and 
        nongovernmental organizations around the world, has accepted the 
        responsibility to safeguard the health of all individuals and control 
        the spread of HIV infection through national policies and programs;
Whereas the worldwide action necessary to stop this global epidemic must 
        continue without compromising the medical, ethical, socioeconomic, 
        cultural and psychological well-being of HIV-infected individuals and 
        individuals with AIDS or slowing the momentum that has allowed those 
        engaged in the struggle to close in on the challenges posed by HIV and 
        AIDS;
Whereas the World Summit of Ministers of Health on AIDS Prevention, meeting in 
        London in 1988, recognized that the widest possible dissemination and 
        exchange of information and educational messages is vital to the success 
        of AIDS prevention programs and thus pledged to open fully channels of 
        communication in each society by creating the basis for the declaration 
        of a World AIDS Day as a day of information, education, action, and 
        commission on AIDS;
Whereas the first World AIDS Day on December 1, 1988, brought messages about the 
        need for action, compassion, and understanding about AIDS to every 
        country in the world and has been doing so for over 20 years; and
Whereas the theme of the 2009 World AIDS Day, ``HIV: Reality'' shares the 
        stories of real people who are living with HIV or AIDS and sheds light 
        on real situations faced by those living with the disease: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day and 
        recognizes the ninth 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 get tested for HIV;
            (3) encourages national, State, and local media 
        organizations to carry messages in support of World AIDS Day;
            (4) supports the development of a national AIDS strategy 
        with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, 
        especially among minority populations and other vulnerable 
        communities;
            (5) supports effective and comprehensive HIV prevention 
        education programs to promote the early identification of HIV 
        through voluntary routine testing, and to connect those in need 
        to treatment and care as early as possible;
            (6) supports appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, 
        care, treatment, and housing; and
            (7) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
        upon the people of the United States to observe World AIDS Day 
        with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, with a 
        special focus on worldwide cooperation and understanding.
                                 <all>