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

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.