[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, April is National Minority Health Month. 
Its goal is to foster awareness of minority health issues, and spur 
dialogue and solutions toward ensuring that minorities are not 
disproportionately vulnerable to illness, disease and premature death. 
In the U.S., Hispanics, African-Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders 
have significant healthcare needs. These groups suffer from high levels 
of poverty and disease, including diabetes, heart disease, 
tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cancer. Large numbers of minorities are 
also uninsured or under-insured. In a world where we have shortages of 
nurses, doctors, and other health practitioners, with respect to 
minority health in particular, there is no shortage of need.
  To meet these challenges, the health concerns of particular minority 
groups must be addressed, and this must be achieved as we better our 
healthcare system. I am a strong supporter of the healthcare providers 
and research institutions in my district of El Paso, TX, such as Texas 
Tech University, the University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community 
College, the Border Health Institute (BHI), Pan American Health 
Organization, La Fe, Project Vida, Project Arriba, Fort Bliss, area 
hospitals and clinics, and individual doctors, nurses, and other 
healthcare professionals. I believe we must make every effort to create 
solid foundations for healthcare in our communities.
  National Minority Health Month is a vitally important time for 
millions of Americans. In honor of National Minority Health Month, I 
urge my colleagues in Congress to support initiatives designed to 
effectively reduce minority health disparities. With respect to 
minority health, though there may be no shortage of need, we must 
assure there is also no shortage of resources to address the disparity, 
and eventually close the gap.
    




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