[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF POSITIVE RESPONSE

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                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service 
of a wonderful organization in my district, Positive Response, and 
their work in the continuing battle against HIV/AIDS.
  HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has run rampant in our Nation since its 
discovery in the U.S. in 1981. Today, over a million people in our 
Nation live with HIV/AIDS, with more than 40,000 people each year 
learning they have the virus.
  On December 1, 2006, we all recognized World AIDS Day, to bring 
attention to the threat facing many individuals, and to continue to 
promote efforts at preventing and ending the spread of the AIDS virus.
  Organizations like Positive Response have taken positive steps to do 
just that--in my district, Positive Response helps prevent the spread 
of HIV/AIDS both through education and testing. Of the million people 
who have HIV/AIDS today, up to a quarter of them still do not know they 
have the virus. Education and testing are necessary to help stop the 
spread of this virus.
  But the efforts do not end when someone contracts HIV/AIDS. Positive 
Response works hard to provide human and compassionate support for 
people living with HIV/AIDS, helping them understand their disease, and 
how they can continue their life. The abundance of treatments today 
help those with HIV/AIDS maintain a normal life, and Positive Response 
helps ensure they are able to continue to live a healthy and full life.
  Mr. Speaker, we need more organizations like Positive Response. On 
the somber note that is World AIDS Day, we are grateful for the 
dedication and commitment of Positive Response to fighting HIV/AIDS and 
helping those who are so much in need.

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