[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TENTH YEAR OF NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

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                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2004

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join 
the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County, California in 
recognizing the tenth year of National HIV Testing Day, a life saving 
effort organized by the National Association of People with AIDS. This 
year's theme is ``Take the test, and take control'' of your life.
  Each year, an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections occur in the United 
States, and as many as one-third of those new cases do not know they 
are infected. This growing and tragic epidemic has undeniably affected 
families and friends of every community. National HIV Testing Day 
emphasizes the importance of early detection of the virus through 
testing, counseling and HIV status awareness.
  Latino populations continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/
AIDS. While Latino teens represent 15 percent of the U.S. population, 
they account for 21 percent of new AIDS cases. And statistics show HIV 
infections may be on the rise among the Latino population.
  I am privileged to promote National HIV Testing Day by urging 
minority communities to take the test, and to take control of their 
lives. The reality is minority communities now represent the majority 
of new AIDS cases. Considering this fact, we must encourage testing. 
Since 1995, treatment advances have led to dramatic declines of 
approximately 70 percent in HIV-related deaths.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County 
for the very important contributions and services they provide to those 
affected by HIV and AIDS. As Members of Congress, let's do our part to 
protect our constituents and to promote National HIV Testing Day.

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