[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 124 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 2000

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, due to an error, I was incorrectly shown 
as voting ``yes'' on rollcall No. 473. I was present during this roll 
call vote and intended to vote ``no.''
  This was a vote on the Souder amendment to H.R. 4942, the DC 
Appropriations Bill for FY 2001. This amendment would prohibit the 
District of Columbia from using any funds, Federal or local, for a 
needle exchange program. I am strongly opposed to such a prohibition.
  Needle exchange programs, which are used in over 30 states, have been 
proven to drastically reduce the transmission of HIV among intravenous 
drug users. Such programs have the support of the American Medical 
Association, the American Public Health Association, the United States 
Conference of Mayors and the Surgeon General of the United States. In 
fact, the Surgeon General has said, ``There is conclusive scientific 
evidence that syringe exchange programs as part of a comprehensive HIV 
prevention strategy are, in effect, public health intervention that 
reduces the transmission of HIV and does not encourage the use of 
illegal drugs.''
  The District has budgeted it's own funds for the implementation of 
this program. However, the Souder amendment denies the District the 
right to local control over local policy, implemented by local dollars. 
It is not the responsibility of this Congress to impose the personal 
moral beliefs of certain of its Members on the public health policy of 
any local jurisdiction. Yet that is exactly what the Souder amendment 
does. I oppose this amendment and ask that this statement be entered 
into the record to clarify my position on this important issue.

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