[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
           REINTRODUCING THE RICKY RAY HEMOPHILIA RELIEF ACT

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, shortly I will reintroduce the Ricky Ray 
Hemophilia Relief Fund Act, which gained 249 cosponsors in the last 
Congress. This bill responds to the tragedy of hemophilia-associated 
AIDS. In the 1980's nearly half of the hemophilia community became 
infected with the AIDS virus through the use of tainted blood products. 
About half of those, approximately 7,200 people, many of whom were 
children, have already died.
  As they did last Congress, students from Robinson Secondary School in 
Fairfax, VA, have visited Members' offices to lobby for this bill. 
These bright and articulate students belong to the Distributive 
Education Clubs of America, an association of high school students 
enrolled in marketing education courses and committed to the free 
enterprise system.
  Their efforts on behalf of the Ricky Ray bill have been impressive. I 
hope my colleagues will lend them an ear, cosponsor this bill, and help 
bring compassionate assistance to hurting victims of the hemophilia 
community.

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