[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING PATRICIA BASS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Patricia Bass, one of 
Philadelphia's and the Nation's leaders in our collective efforts to 
provide high quality, accessible care and treatment to people living 
with HIV/AIDS.
  Ms. Bass played a central role in building Philadelphia's response to 
HIV/AIDS as the co-director of the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office. 
Today, I rise to salute Ms. Bass's tenure as Chair of the Communities 
Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief Coalition. CAEAR Coalition is a 
leading voice for the treatment and care needs of people living with 
HIV/AIDS. Ms. Bass has served as Chair of CAEAR Coalition for 6 years, 
leading the organization in its annual efforts to secure increased 
appropriations for the Ryan White CARE Act. She has also guided CAEAR 
Coalition's collaborative and evidence-based efforts over the past 3 
years to reauthorize a strengthened Ryan White CARE Act that responds 
effectively to the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United 
States. Consistently mobilizing its members across the county to 
advocate with their elected officials on behalf of the care and 
treatment needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, CAEAR Coalition 
epitomizes the important role that our constituents play in helping us 
to understand the needs of those in the communities we represent.
  Ms. Bass's experiences and perspective as a nurse and African 
American woman who has worked on the frontlines of the epidemic inform 
her understanding of HIV/AIDS and its impact on communities of color, 
and her voice has been critically important in policymaking discussions 
and dialogue with Congressional leaders and staff.
  I know that when the Ryan White CARE Act is reauthorized, the 
provisions in the final law will undoubtedly be better because of Ms. 
Bass's vision, leadership and long-term commitment to a coalition 
compromised of those giving and receiving care and committed to 
carrying those experiences directly to their elected representatives.
  Today, I rise to thank Ms. Bass for her leadership and wish her much 
success in her continued efforts to ensure that people living with HIV/
AIDS at home and abroad have the care and treatment they need.

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