[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E696-E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE RYAN WHITE CARE ACT SAVES LIVES

                                 ______


                          HON. SUSAN MOLINARI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Ms. MOLINARI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Livingston 
and the entire Appropriations Committee for their efforts to 
reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act.
  The Ryan White CARE Act programs play a vital role in the delivery of 
services to AIDS and HIV-positive populations in New York City and 
around this country. First authorized in 1990, this legislation 
authorizes agencies of the Public Health Service to enhance the 
provision of prevention, testing. And care services to people with HIV 
who do not have insurance and who do not yet qualify for Medicaid or 
Medicare.
  In New York City there is a $101 million portfolio of 300 contracts, 
mostly with community-based organizations. Although our Nation is 
facing budget restraints, we cannot ignore our Nation's health. In the 
United States, there is one AIDS-related death every 15 minutes; every 
9 minutes another person is diagnosed with AIDS, and someone is 
infected with HIV every 13 minutes. Even more distressing is the fact 
that 17.9 percent of all the AIDS cases diagnosed in our country have 
been in New York City. Since 1988, AIDS has been the leading cause of 
death in New York City for men and women between the ages of 25 and 34. 
These statistics are at the very least sobering, at most they 
demonstrate the need for reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.
  Last March I was given a most vivid reminder of why I was driven to a 
career in public service. That afternoon, I met with several people 
from the Staten Island AIDS Task Force including Carol and Joseph Di 
Paulo. Joey is 15 years old and was infected with the AIDS virus when 
he underwent surgery in 1984. After speaking with Joey and his mother 
for an hour I couldn't help but be moved by their plight.
  Like any mother, Carol DiPaulo wants what is best for her child. 
However, her only desire is to keep Joey healthy and alive for as long

[[Page E697]]

as possible. We know very little about the AIDS virus. But one thing 
about which we are sure is that we have no cure for this deadly 
disease. The best that we can do is to provide treatment through the 
Ryan White CARE Act.
  Joey and his mom are two very courageous people. Carol is a single 
mother of two children, one happens to be very sick. She has taken her 
campaign to fight AIDS beyond her home and into the highest levels of 
Government and the media. Joey met with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, spoke before the United Nations, and has even done 
public service announcements for MTV. He is truly a hero, not merely 
because of what he has done, but because he is motivated not by self-
gain or prosperity. Instead, he and his mom are driven because they 
have seen firsthand how AIDS can destroy not only an individual but a 
family as well.

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