[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                HIV/AIDS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I wish to bring to my colleagues' 
attention the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS continues to have on our 
country and, in particular, on African Americans.
  African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States 
population yet account for over 50 percent of all new HIV diagnoses. We 
must ask ourselves why this statistic is so high and continue to focus 
on ways to reduce it.
  AIDS diagnoses among African Americans are increasing while diagnoses 
among other groups are decreasing. By the end of 2003, 172,278 African 
Americans were living with AIDS and studies show that number is rising.
  This crisis is having an especially crippling effect on African 
American women who account for over two-thirds of new HIV/AIDS cases 
among women. Additionally, AIDS is the number one cause of death for 
African American women ages 25-34.
  These statistics clearly reflect a catastrophic problem facing 
African Americans today. It is imperative that we continue to support 
prevention efforts and encourage a willingness to speak out about this 
disease in our community. We must assume the challenge of combating 
this crisis. If we do not, our complacency will only contribute to the 
devastation caused by this disease.

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