[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO NKOSI JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, The blessing of his life is that he showed a 
lot of people how to live . . . not just people infected with HIV/
AIDS--but a lot of us . . . He taught us how to share. He taught us how 
to give . . . He taught us how to forgive--Diane Stevens.
  Although we are generally aware of the ravages of AIDS in Africa, few 
of us have an opportunity to see first hand the personal destruction on 
individuals. Each year four million people on the African Continent are 
afflicted with this terrible disease. Hardest hit are the children. 
Many are orphaned when parents die, many are born with HIV/AIDS.
  Xolani Nkosi Johnson was born with the HIV/AIDS virus. When Nkosi was 
three years of age, his mother died of complications due to AIDS. Nkosi 
was the international spokesperson for children infected with HIV/AIDS. 
He was the inspiration behind Nkosi's Haven, a care center for infected 
women and children in Johannesburg, South Africa. A gifted and 
experienced speaker, Nkosi traveled the world delivering his message in 
his own words on how AIDS has affected his life, what help the 
international community can render, the benefits of empowerment 
initiatives, and the importance of community support.
  When Nkosi was old enough to attend school, his HIV status set off a 
firestorm in the public schools system. School officials were reluctant 
to allow him to attend school. Nkosi took his case to the media and 
government officials, and as a result, legislation was passed in South 
Africa that assures that all children will have the right to attend 
school regardless of their medical status.
  Nkosi was indeed a brave young man. His courage and commitment to the 
children of South Africa was never ending until his untimely death on 
June 1, 2001.
  So long Brave Warrior King (Nkosi is the Zulu word for King).

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