[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING NATIONAL LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize National Latino AIDS Awareness Day of 2009 which takes place 
today on Thursday, October 15, 2009. I want to commend the various 
individuals and groups that have worked hard to make this day a reality 
including the Hispanic Federation, the Latino Commission on AIDS, the 
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, and various 
other local, regional, and national partners.
  National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is an incredibly important day 
that helps bring attention to the problems the Latino community faces 
in regards to the HIV/AIDS crisis. While the HIV/AIDS problem is an 
issue that affects every racial and ethnic group in the United States, 
it unfortunately has a disproportionate impact on the Latino community. 
In 2006, there were roughly 80,000 Latinos living with AIDS, 
representing 18 percent of all those living with the disease, and 
although Latinos compromise 15.3 percent of the U.S. population, they 
account for 24.3 percent of new HIV infections. Additionally, stigma 
within the community, lack of access to health care, and misinformation 
about the virus make it difficult to combat. Truly, this must be 
changed, and embracing the goals and ideas of National Latino AIDS 
Awareness Day is a step towards making that happen.
  I am reminded, too, that the Latino community is not alone in this 
struggle. Other ethnic groups and particularly the African-American 
community are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. We must all 
stand together, learn from each other, and work toward ending this 
virus that hurts so many people in our country and across the world.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing National Latino AIDS Awareness Day for the betterment of 
our country and the health of the numerous ethnic groups that add so 
much to our national character.

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