[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    STOP AIDS IN PRISON ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H.R. 
1429, Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2009, which has been reintroduced by 
Congresswoman Maxine Waters. It is important that proper HIV/AIDS 
testing, prevention, treatment, and education are provided to all 
inmates. HIV/AIDS is quickly rising in America. According to the 
Department of Justice the rate of confirmed AIDS cases in prisons was 
three times higher than in the general population.
  This piece of legislation will help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS by 
making inmates get tested for HIV/AIDS upon entering jail and when they 
leave. Testing inmates when they enter and when they leave will help 
track the number of people infected and it will also help reduce the 
spread to others in their communities. Educating inmates about HIV/AIDS 
and providing them treatment will make them more responsible about 
their health and the health of others.
  This is only one part of helping to solve this epidemic that has 
spread vastly in large and small cities and towns across America as 
well as in countries around the world. That is why I am in strong 
support of this legislation.

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