[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1809]]


                 RYAN WHITE CARE ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1995

                                 ______


                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 1995

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Ryan White 
CARE Act. Its four different titles will continue to bring critical 
medical and support services to people with HIV/AIDS through the year 
2000. It also provides for training programs for health practitioners 
who treat HIV-positive individuals, and funds demonstration projects to 
treat and care for HIV-infected individuals with particular needs. The 
CARE Act is a proven success, and I strongly urge its passage.
  There is a very human face to HIV and AIDS, and I have witnessed the 
way that AIDS has impacted the lives of many of my constituents and my 
friends. Elizabeth Glasser touched my life deeply. She dedicated her 
life to raising awareness about pediatric AIDS, courageously fighting 
until she died. Her commitment demonstrated how much one person can do. 
The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation [CAAF], is another example. 
CAAF was started in 1993 by Joe Cristina, a vice-president at Mattel in 
El Segundo, who is also HIV positive. Its mission is to raise funds and 
support grassroots agencies nationwide that provide direct care, 
support, and assistance to children with AIDS. CAAF successfully 
involves corporate America, Hollywood, the media, service providers, 
advocates, and community organizations. Although CAAF has been 
incredibly successful in raising private support to combat pediatric 
AIDS, the Ryan White Act is critical to its continued success. Women's 
Link, located in Marina del Rey, is an information center for women 
with HIV that also relies on Ryan White Act funds, as does the Santa 
Monica AIDS Project, another successful program serving hundreds in my 
district.
  Regrettably, Los Angeles stands to lose money under title I and title 
II of the bill because its appropriations are not sufficient to 
adequately fund currently eligible and newly added cities. The Senate 
version has a clause that allows the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to fully fund the currently eligible cities in the second 
year. I strongly support that provision.
  I strongly urge Congress to pass this authorizing legislation, and to 
fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act. The lives of over 1 million 
Americans infected with the AIDS virus depend on it.

                          ____________________