[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E17-E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise in solidarity with 
the Miami-Dade County Public Schools on the occasion of National World 
AIDS Day. Miami-Dade County Public Schools are working hard within my 
community to provide much-needed prevention information, as well as 
assistance to those afflicted with the HIV/AIDS virus.
  Indeed, the National World AIDS Day evokes once again a special 
opportunity for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, my North Dade 
constituents and the larger Miami-Dade County and South Florida 
communities to renew our collective and individual commitment to find a 
cure for this treatable and preventable disease. As we remember in our 
prayers those who passed on, as well as reach out to those who need our 
help, we are reminded of the urgency to fight against the spread of 
this virus. Despite the best efforts of our AIDS-support community 
organizations, in concert with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, 
HIV/AIDS continues to be a devastating disease. I commend our health 
care professionals, the volunteers from our community organizations, 
and our schools, who together exemplify a symbol of strength and 
resilience in a way that combines true professionalism and utmost 
compassion along the tradition of our stewardship for one another.
  The leadership of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools is readily 
focused on providing the opportunities of outreach information and 
ongoing education in a way that advances the common good of our fellow 
human beings, especially those who are suffering from the effects of 
the AIDS disease.
  Despite the strategies and activities that organizations of good-will 
have utilized to combat this virus, we are still saddled with the fact 
that the pace of the AIDS infection is staggering. According to recent 
statistics from the World Health Organization, the past year alone has 
seen more infection and death from HIV/AIDS than ever before.
  Of the estimated 18,371 AIDS-related deaths in the United States in 
2006, approximately 52 percent were from the Black community. According 
to the Centers for Disease Control, Blacks accounted for 54 percent of 
all new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS. In Florida, HIV/AIDS is the leading 
cause of death among Black males and females, aged 25 to 44 years old. 
According to the Florida Department of Health, over half of all people 
living with HIV/

[[Page E18]]

AIDS in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are Black.
  As we celebrate National World AIDS Day in light of these agonizing 
facts, we must put forth a much more aggressive and concerted effort to 
reach out to our communities, teaching our residents about this 
disease, insure proper treatment for AIDS victims and continue the 
research needed to bring this epidemic under control. This infectious 
disease should not be a partisan issue, but should be a commitment for 
all Americans. We can and we must address the HIV/AIDS epidemic 
aggressively, both at home and abroad.
  I encourage everyone in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and beyond to 
get tested; get informed about prevention and get treatment if you need 
it. Let's all renew our efforts to stop the spread of this dreaded 
disease and, as a caring community, reach out to those of our fellow 
residents who are already living with HIV/AIDS. I commend the Miami-
Dade County Public Schools for their leadership role in raising the 
awareness level about HIV/AIDS and encourage school administrators, 
faculty, staff and students to continue with this most laudable effort.

                          ____________________