[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, HIV testing is imperative. There 
is not much else to be said. This global epidemic has affected 
communities and families around the world. In Chicago, there are about 
40,000 new cases each year. There are thousands of families struggling 
with this fact.
  Nationally, nearly one million people are infected with HIV and 
nearly 30 percent are not aware of it. The highest rates of new 
infection are with women, especially the women of the African-American 
community. Sixty-seven percent of new cases are Black women, although 
women make up only 23 percent of new cases overall. This is a travesty.
  We must also remember that this is a global issue that affects the 
lives of members of our international village. A recent ad campaign in 
Russia warns, ``Close your eyes on HIV today and you might miss the 
people closest to you tomorrow.'' This warning, unfortunately, rings 
true in the lives of many people today. Globally, nearly 40 million 
men, women and children are infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
  We in Congress have taken great legislative strides to fight this 
epidemic, but we are only 435 faces. It is up to the citizens of this 
great Nation and nations around the world to stand up and join the 
fight. This is why June 27th has been designated as National HIV 
Testing Day. Take advantage of it.
  Some people say they don't have time. The fastest method of 
determining one's status is through rapid testing. It takes about 20 
minutes. There are 1,440 minutes in a day. Clinics tend to be open for 
8 hour days. If one person went to get tested every 20 minutes at one 
clinic on June 27th, then there would be 24 people that know their 
status. The number of United States registered hospitals totals 5,764. 
If one person went to get tested every 20 minutes at each of these 
hospitals, on June 27th, 138,336 people would know their status. 
Imagine if this were a global initiative. To the people who think that 
HIV testing is a long and time-consuming process, I say, we don't have 
time to waste.
  Mr. Speaker, we don't have time to lose another life. We don't have 
time for silence or apathy. Tell a friend or family member. Remind them 
how urgent it is to grasp this moment. Take advantage of this day. 
Seize it. Get tested.

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