[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E210-E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 30, a resolution that recognizes and supports the goals and ideals 
of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

[[Page E211]]

  HIV/AIDS impacts the African-American community worse than any other 
ethnic group in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) report that African-Americans account for 50 percent 
of all new HIV infections, which is an incredible number considering 
only 12 percent of the American population is African-American. The CDC 
further reported that 69 percent of all children born to infected 
mothers were African-American. A study conducted by the Kaiser Family 
Foundation showed that African-Americans accounted for 56 percent of 
deaths due to HIV in 2002.
  Public awareness about HIV/AIDS is vital. National Black HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day will help educate the African-American community about 
the disease, including prevention and treatment. The first annual 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was held on February. 23, 2001. 
The slogan for the day was ``Get Educated, Get Involved and Get 
Tested.'' February 7 of each year is now recognized as National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  I was proud to cosponsor this important resolution that encourages 
State and local governments, including their public health departments, 
to publicize the day in African-American Communities and to promote 
testing. The resolution encourages media organizations to carry 
messages in support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Most 
importantly, it encourages enactment of effective HIV prevention 
programs.
  HIV/AIDS is a formidable threat to our African-American communities. 
However, we can work together to ensure that the public is aware of the 
ways to prevent transmission of this disease and how individuals can 
protect themselves. But we can't do this without funding. The Minority 
AIDS Initiative needs to be fully funded. The Ryan White Comprehensive 
AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is authorized through FY2005, so 
this year we need to ensure that no programs are under funded or 
dropped altogether.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution will result in increased public 
awareness. As advocates work together to protect the African-American 
community, we in Congress need to ensure the Federal Government is 
doing our job to fund the programs that will halt the spread of HIV/
AIDS.

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