[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              AIDS CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the AIDS death toll now stands at a 
staggering 21,800,000. Sheer numbers tell us that AIDS is one of the 
most pressing humanitarian issues that faces the international 
community. From Africa, to Bangladesh, to back home in Michigan, AIDS 
is crippling the human condition. It is our responsibility to do all 
that we can to thwart this deadly pandemic.
  Internationally, we should take a leadership role in combating AIDS. 
Of the 36 million people infected by the HIV virus today, 25 million 
live in sub-Saharan Africa. That is why the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund 
needs the full $150 million to fund its efforts to assist those 
countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, particularly those in sub-Saharan 
Africa. I urge President Bush to continue to support President 
Clinton's initiative that made the patent laws over HIV/AIDS drugs in 
sub-Saharan Africa less stringent. This will allow African AIDS 
patients to more easily get their hands on the medicine which they so 
desperately need. In promoting education and prevention abroad, we are 
taking fundamental steps to battling this crisis at home which knows no 
borders, age, or race.
  AIDS is also hitting us hard at home. More than 700,000 cases of AIDS 
have been reported in the United States since 1981, and as many as 
900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV. In Michigan, Detroit 
hospitals are having a hard time providing quality HIV/AIDS care 
because of the costs involved. Nationwide, we need to ensure that 
hospitals have the proper resources to provide AIDS patients with the 
quality care they deserve. Half of all new HIV infections are estimated 
to occur between the ages of 13-24. We need to ensure that our young 
people have the knowledge and counseling necessary to prevent and 
battle this disease.
  Concrete steps need to be taken to battle this overwhelming problem. 
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program needs at least 
$300 million this year to continue to do its job. It is the only 
Federal program that helps our cities and States address the housing 
crisis facing people living with AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention is in need of $10 million dollars to develop and 
implement a grassroots HIV/AIDS prevention media campaign for 
minorities. Every dollar we spend on prevention saves many lives and 
dollars in the long run.
  It is crucial that we are not only reactive in this situation, but 
strongly proactive as well. I hope that all of my colleagues will do 
the right things, and support funding for AIDS prevention and 
increasing access to medication for our worldwide community. We need 
adequate resources to deal with this terrible crisis at home and 
abroad. Millions of lives are at stake.

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