[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 96 (Tuesday, July 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H5540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SECOND ANNUAL TRI-CAUCUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 20, 2004, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 1 minute.
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, this morning I would like to report on the 
Second Annual Tri-Caucus Health Care Conference that was held this past 
weekend regarding health disparities that was sponsored by the 
Hispanic, the Black Caucus, and the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus. It 
was the first time that 12 Members gathered there in Miami, Florida, to 
begin the discussion to hear from the public as well as health care 
practitioners regarding chronic illnesses affecting these populations.
  A resounding number of them continue to say that obviously we need 
more support from the Federal Government. We need more funding to 
combat the rising number of HIV and AIDS incidents reported among black 
teenagers and Hispanic teenagers, particularly among girls. Girls in 
their teenage ages are contacting HIV and AIDS in heterosexual 
relationships.
  We need more research funding for planning to begin to address the 
issue of obesity which is now affecting many of our black and Latino 
students. Diabetes treatment, nutrition planning for low income 
minority communities was also outlined. We talked about expanding the 
need for the SCHIP program and also for Medicaid.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the public continue to support the 
health care disparities bill that was introduced in the House and the 
Senate earlier this year.

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