[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E927-E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HIV/AIDS VACCINE AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, we are at an important crossroad in the 
history of the AIDS epidemic. Although dramatic new treatments and 
improvements in care for people living with HIV, the virus that causes 
AIDS, have offered new hope in the AIDS fight, the number of new 
infections continues to rise among adolescents, women, and minority 
communities. In fact, about half of new HIV infections occur in young 
people age 15-24--our future generation. It is clear that the only way 
to halt the continued spread of this disease is by developing an AIDS 
vaccine.
  ``Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and 
eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS . . . let us commit ourselves 
to developing an AIDS vaccine within the next decade,'' President 
Clinton stated one year ago today. We are closer now than ever before 
to developing a vaccine that prevents people from becoming infected 
with HIV. Recent scientific advances coupled with the dedication of 
thousands of volunteers suggests that the development of a vaccine is 
feasible. The anniversary of President Clinton's commitment to this 
goal will be marked by the first HIV/AIDS Vaccine Awareness Day, a 
national day dedicated to informing people about the vaccine initiative 
and its role in the fight against the AIDS epidemic in our communities. 
Enormous challenges remain in our effort to develop a safe and 
effective HIV/AIDS vaccine, and we, as a community must seize this 
opportunity to meet these challenges.
  Seattle has played an integral role in the development of an AIDS 
vaccine. The AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Unit (AVEU) at the University of 
Washington is one of only six centers in the U.S. funded by the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct AIDS vaccine testing. 
Established 10 years ago, the AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Unit has 
benefited immeasurably from the dedicated participation of more than 
650 community volunteers.
  The AVEU volunteers are critical to the pursuit of an AIDS vaccine 
for many reasons, most notably the scientific and social challenges 
this vaccine presents. Volunteers are between the ages of 18 and 60, 
HIV-negative, and in good health. These community volunteers have made 
a very personal commitment

[[Page E928]]

to the pursuit of the AIDS vaccine by donating a great deal more than 
just their time. Although the vaccine does not infect the volunteers 
with HIV, there is some risk. We are grateful to them, for they test 
the vaccine to determine whether or not it is safe for you and me.
  The community participants in AVEU have volunteered despite adverse 
social forces and scientific obstacles. Vaccine development has been 
influenced by the expectations of the public, media attention, and the 
interests of pharmaceutical companies. With the publicity surrounding 
the new treatments available for HIV, such as the triple drug 
combination, attention to HIV infection has waned. Such drugs are 
indeed promising for people living with the AIDS virus, but a vaccine 
is the only effective way to prevent new cases of HIV/AIDS.
  Thankfully, last year, the National Institute of Health's AIDS 
vaccine research budget was increased by 17.5 percent, to a total of 
$153 million. This year, the President has asked Congress for another 
17.5 percent increase to $180 million. That means there has been an 80 
percent increase in AIDS vaccine funding since 1995. According to the 
National Infectious and Allergy Disease Institute, there are currently 
23 vaccine candidates and 49 clinical trials in the works. Nationwide, 
nearly 3,000 volunteers already have participated in studies.
  An AIDS vaccine is possible in our lifetime. What we truly need is 
aggressive pursuit by federal, state, and local governments with the 
committed support of the public. President Clinton's AIDS vaccine 
initiative proclamation was a good first step, but much more is needed. 
We must make the development of an AIDS vaccine a national and an 
international priority.
  Making the AIDS vaccine a reality will take the continued commitment 
of the dedicated volunteers, researchers, government, and the public. 
The President said it best when, on this day a year ago, he pledged, 
``If America commits to find an AIDS vaccine and we enlist others in 
our cause, we will do it.'' I would like to join Governor Locke, Mayor 
Schell, and the Seattle City Council in dedicating this day to the 
numerous vaccine volunteers in our community, and thank them for what 
they have allowed us to accomplish thus far.
  Let us mobilize here in the community, as well as in the government, 
to push for what is on the horizon--an end to AIDS as we know it.

                          ____________________