[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            RIALTO AIDS WALK

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to recognize an important 
event that has occurred in my State of California. To honor World AIDS 
Day, the city of Rialto partnered with Brothers and Sisters in Action, 
BASIA, and First Chance/Youth-Community Health Outreach Workers to host 
the inaugural AIDS Walk Rialto on December 8, 2007. I am pleased to say 
that it was a success.
  Since reported in 1981, HIV/AIDS has become the most significant 
communicable disease in San Bernardino County for African Americans. 
The rate of HIV among this group has increased dramatically since the 
first cases were reported. In 2005, 18 percent of the new HIV cases in 
San Bernardino County were in African Americans, yet African Americans 
represent only 8.5 percent of the population of the county. AIDS Walk 
Rialto aimed to broaden awareness of this disparity.
  I commend the city of Rialto and the organizers of this event for the 
work that they are doing to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS infections on the 
local level. Better education and awareness programs can make a 
tremendous difference in stopping the spread of this disease, and I 
encourage an even larger parade next year.

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