[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BI-NATIONAL HEALTH WEEK

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I appreciate this opportunity to join my 
friends from across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Guatemala, and 
El Salvador in celebrating the 6th Annual Bi-National Health Week.
  Bi-National Health Week affords us an opportunity to reflect upon the 
many successful efforts made here in the United States in cooperation 
with Mexican, Canadian, Guatemalan, and Salvadorian consulates in order 
to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being amongst those who might 
otherwise lack access to important health care services.
  Bi-National Health Week originated as an effort by Mexico's Secretary 
of Health to direct health care services to the underserved migrant 
populations currently living and working in the United States. Since 
its inception in October 2001, the network of Mexican consulates 
throughout the country has partnered with U.S. Federal, State and local 
agencies, the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, the United States-Mexico 
Border Health Commission, the California-Mexico Health Initiative, and 
various Mexican and United States colleges and universities. These 
partnerships have resulted in celebrations throughout the world in an 
effort to empower local health clinics and community organizations to 
provide services to the Hispanic/Latino population.
  The agencies involved with the Bi-National Health week are working 
diligently to educate and encourage people to pursue healthy 
lifestyles. HIV, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and oral 
screenings will be offered as examples of first-rate preventative care 
in order to avoid costly hospitalization and reduce future costs to the 
taxpayer. We must continue to work together at the Federal, State and 
local levels with our friends throughout the world in order to ensure 
that we seek every opportunity to pursue healthy lifestyles.

                          ____________________