[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE SOUTH TEXAS COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker,
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was 
founded in 1990 by a group of concerned citizens who wished to address 
issues related to substance abuse; and
  Whereas, October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day; and
  Whereas, Latinos represent 15% of the U.S. population, but make up 
18% of new HIV infections; and
  Whereas, Latino women are infected with HIV at a rate of up to four 
times greater than other women; and
  Whereas, citizens from Hebbronville, Zapata, Roma, Rio Grande 
established the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse 19 years 
ago as a nonprofit agency; and
  Whereas, the agency was created out of a grant from the Texas 
Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to develop a Statewide Initiative 
Council for the four county regions consisting of Jim Hogg, Starr, 
Webb, and Zapata; and
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was 
established to provide screening, assessment, referrals related to 
substance abuse, and education services to the region for substance 
abuse; and
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has 
expanded its services to include HIV prevention, treatment, and Voces 
Fronterizas--an HIV prevention and intervention program from the CDC; 
and
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has 
expanded their role to encompass not only that of being a Clinical 
Training Institute but also providing intervention outreach studies to 
impoverished border communities like the colonias; and
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has served 
over 12,000 clients through HIV programs in the past 6 years; and
  Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has 
invested over $1,000,000 annually on HIV programs; and
  Be it hereby resolved, that Congressman Henry Cuellar, in 
representing the 28th Congressional District of the State of Texas, 
honors the contributions of the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug 
Abuse for their exceptional service to South Texas communities.

                          ____________________