[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E142-E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 942.
  As an original co-sponsor of this resolution, I am proud to join my 
colleagues in recognizing the month of February as Black History Month. 
I would like to thank my friend and colleague from Texas, Congressman 
Al Green for introducing this very important resolution.
  As we recognize Black History Month, I would also like to note, that 
we feel the loss of our dear friends and CBC colleagues who passed away 
over the last year: Congresswomen Julia Carson, Juanita Millender 
McDonald and founding CBC member former Congressman `Gus' Hawkins. They 
always joined in on the celebrations. We truly miss them, but their 
accomplishments live on as a part of Black History and beyond.
  As First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. I want to take 
a moment to commemorate Black History Month by advocating for a greater 
commitment to the domestic and global HIV/AIDS pandemic.
  Under funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative and with our domestic 
HIV/AIDS programs flat-lining, data shows communities of color are 
increasingly bearing the brunt of the disease. Over 188,000 African-
Americans were living with AIDS at the end of 2005, representing 44 
percent of all cases in the United States, according to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
  In order to raise awareness. I introduced H. Con. Res. 280 to 
recognize and support the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day and encourages state and local governments, public health 
agencies and the media to emphasize and publicize the importance of 
this day among the African American community, and all communities. 
Celebrated each year on February 7th, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness 
Day encourages African Americans and all Americans to ``Get Educated, 
Get Involved, and Get Tested.''
  Though we recognize Black History Month this month, it is our duty to 
pursue policies of social justice that are fair, sustainable, and that 
help the most disadvantaged in our society. As an African American 
woman and legislator in this era of tremendous change, I am doubly 
aware of the obligations that we have as a community and as a country, 
and Black History Month and the celebration of African American 
involvement.
  Mr. Speaker, let me say that during this Black History Month, I will 
continue to work with the CBC and Congress to identify bipartisan 
solutions to eradicate HIV/AIDS in our nation and abroad.

[[Page E143]]

  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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