[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2607-E2608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS 
Treatment Extension Act of 2009, which reauthorizes the Ryan White HIV/
AIDS Program for four years. The Ryan White program provides critical 
funds to cities, states and non-profit organizations for medical 
treatment and support services for people living with HIV and AIDS. The 
program currently serves more than 500,000 HIV-positive low-income 
people throughout the United States, many of whom would not be alive 
today without it.
  The continuing need for the Ryan White Program cannot be overstated. 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 
more than 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States 
today, and every 9\1/2\ minutes, another person is infected.
  Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be severely impacted by HIV/
AIDS. African Americans account for 49% of new AIDS diagnoses, and 
Hispanics account for 19%. All minority groups combined represent 65% 
of new HIV infections, 67% of people living with HIV/AIDS, 71% of new 
AIDS cases, and 70% of deaths caused by AIDS.
  Eleven years ago, in order to address the disproportionate impact of 
HIV/AIDS among minorities, I worked with my colleagues in the 
Congressional Black Caucus and the Clinton Administration to develop 
the Minority AIDS Initiative. This initiative provides funds to 
community-based organizations in order to build their capacity to serve 
minority communities and deliver culturally and linguistically 
appropriate care and services.
  This bill recognizes the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among 
minorities and reauthorizes key provisions of the Minority AIDS 
Initiative. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) to report on activities under the Minority AIDS Initiative across 
governmental agencies and identify best practices in capacity-building. 
It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare 
a plan for the use of Minority AIDS Initiative funding, taking into 
consideration the GAO report.
  I thank my good friend Delegate Donna Christensen, along with the 
other Members

[[Page E2608]]

and staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for consulting with my 
office on the reauthorization of the Minority AIDS Initiative, and I 
appreciate all of their work on this bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment 
Extension Act of 2009.

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