[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 108 (Friday, June 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6330-S6331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

   SENATE RESOLUTION 606--DESIGNATING JUNE 27, 2008, AS NATIONAL HIV 
                              TESTIING DAY

  Mrs. CLINTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 606

       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     (referred to in this preamble as ``the CDC'') found that at 
     the end of 2003, between 1,039,000 and 1,185,000 individuals 
     in the United States were HIV positive, an increase from the 
     estimated 850,000 to 950,000 such individuals at the end of 
     2002;
       Whereas the CDC estimated that at the end of 2006, African-
     Americans represented 49 percent of all individuals living 
     with HIV/AIDS, Whites represented 30 percent, and Hispanics 
     represented 18 percent;
       Whereas the CDC further found that at the end of 2006, men 
     accounted for nearly 73 percent of all individuals living 
     with HIV/AIDS and women represented more than 26 percent;
       Whereas the CDC estimated that from the beginning of the 
     epidemic through 2006, 565,927 individuals in the United 
     States have died of AIDS;
       Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of 
     HIV infection is male-to-male sexual contact, followed by 
     heterosexual contact and injection drug use;
       Whereas the CDC has estimated that during the 10-year 
     period beginning in 1998, the rate of new infections in the 
     United States has remained at approximately 40,000 annually, 
     with no decline;
       Whereas individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV are also 
     often at high risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted 
     infections;
       Whereas a 2008 report from the CDC estimated that in the 
     United States, 1 in 4 young women and nearly 1 in 2 young 
     African-American women between the ages of 14 and 19 have a 
     sexually transmitted infection;
       Whereas the CDC estimates that about 25 percent of all HIV-
     positive individuals are unaware of their status;
       Whereas the CDC reports that when infected individuals knew 
     their status, they were more likely to practice HIV risk-
     reduction behaviors;
       Whereas the CDC reported that in 2005, 40 percent of those 
     individuals diagnosed as HIV-positive were later diagnosed 
     with AIDS within 1 year of their HIV test;
       Whereas the CDC reports that early knowledge of HIV status 
     is important for connecting HIV-positive individuals with 
     medical care and services that can reduce mortality and 
     prevent the onset of AIDS;
       Whereas a 2004 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 
     that many individuals in the United States wanted more 
     information about HIV, including the different types of HIV 
     tests available, testing costs, test result confidentiality, 
     and testing locations;
       Whereas African-Americans and Latinos are much more likely 
     than Whites to say they need more information about HIV 
     testing;
       Whereas anxieties, misconceptions, and stigma have been 
     traditionally associated with HIV/AIDS and HIV testing;
       Whereas the most commonly used HIV tests require a 2 week 
     waiting period for a diagnosis, and such a waiting period 
     contributes to the anxiety surrounding HIV testing that 
     discourages individuals from receiving their diagnosis;
       Whereas the CDC estimated that in 2004, among those who 
     took an HIV test at sites funded by the CDC, 22 percent did 
     not return for their test results;
       Whereas rapid test kits approved by the Food and Drug 
     Administration have made HIV testing easier, more accessible, 
     and less invasive, while delivering results within a single 
     day;
       Whereas prevention counseling is an essential part of HIV 
     testing, and when conducted according to established CDC 
     guidelines, has been shown to be effective at producing 
     individual behavioral change;
       Whereas the National Association of People with AIDS, 
     founded in 1983, is the oldest coalition of people living 
     with HIV/AIDS, and advocates on behalf of all people living 
     with HIV/AIDS;
       Whereas National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign 
     introduced in 1995 and produced by the National Association 
     of People with AIDS to encourage individuals to seek out and 
     receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing;
       Whereas the theme of National HIV Testing Day 2008 is, 
     ``Take the test, take control'';
       Whereas the Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative of the CDC 
     emphasizes the importance of HIV testing;

[[Page S6331]]

       Whereas as part of its overall public health mission, the 
     CDC annually supports the National HIV Prevention Conference 
     and National HIV Testing Day; and
       Whereas June 27 of each year is now recognized as National 
     HIV Testing Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day;
       (2) encourages State and local governments, including their 
     public health agencies, to recognize such a day, to publicize 
     its importance among their communities, to encourage 
     individuals to undergo counseling and testing for HIV and 
     other sexually transmitted infections, and to establish and 
     maintain effective linkages to care and treatment services 
     for individuals testing positive;
       (3) encourages the appropriate use of rapid test kits 
     approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a fast and 
     efficient method of HIV testing;
       (4) encourages National, State, and local media 
     organizations to carry messages in support of National HIV 
     Testing Day;
       (5) encourages the President to emphasize the importance of 
     addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all individuals in the 
     United States, but especially among minority communities; and
       (6) supports the development of a National AIDS strategy 
     with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, 
     especially among minorities.

                          ____________________