[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE YOUTH SERVICES OF THE TEENAIDS-PEERCORPS IN BOSTON, 
                             MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the valuable 
educational services TeenAIDS-PeerCorps has provided for youth around 
the world. Over 42 million people throughout the world are infected 
with AIDS, and more than 7,000 children contract AIDS each day. Reports 
estimate that some 3 million children around the world have HIV or AIDS 
with an estimated 4,400 infected young adults between 13 and 19 years 
of age in the United States. Increased efforts to educate teenagers 
about the methods of transmission and ways to reduce their risk of 
contracting AIDS have helped to decrease the infection rate.
  TeenAIDS-PeerCorps, located in Boston, Massachusetts, was created in 
1995 to educate teenagers around the world about HIV and AIDS. By 
sponsoring programs across the globe and utilizing the Internet, 
TeenAIDS-PeerCorps has influenced the lives of many youths. Since the 
inception of TeenAIDS-PeerCorps, almost 135,000 teenagers in 60 
countries and 20 U.S. states have been counseled on the dangers of HIV 
and AIDS. Teenagers are encouraged to share their experiences and learn 
from their peers about how HIV and AIDS have changed their lives.
  For the past 5 years, Dr. John B. Chittick, a resident of Fitchburg, 
Massachusetts and Executive Director of TeenAIDS-PeerCorps, has been 
traveling on an international humanitarian effort to increase HIV and 
AIDS awareness. Dr. Chittick uses open discussion, stop-action 
improvisation theater, and a comic book to communicate his message to 
teens. The TeenAIDS-PeerCorps and Dr. Chittick's efforts have 
positively impacted and educated many youth. I applaud their efforts 
and urge the TeenAIDS-PeerCorps and Dr. Chittick to continue their 
domestic and international role as HIV and AIDS educators.

                          ____________________