[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING WORLD AIDS AWARENESS DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize World AIDS 
Awareness Day. This awareness initiative started on December 1, 1988 
with the purpose of raising money, increasing awareness, fighting 
prejudice, and improving education on HIV/AIDS topics. The World AIDS 
Day theme for 2009 is ``Universal Access and Human Rights,'' serving as 
an important reminder that HIV/AIDS has not gone away, and that there 
are many things still to be done.
  According to the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS, there 
are 33.4 million cases of HIV/AIDS worldwide. Approximately 1.1 million 
of these cases are in the United States, according to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, and there are more than 50,000 new HIV/
AIDS infections reported each year in America. Sadly, minority 
communities face the brunt of its reach. African American are the most 
affected, representing half of the total 1.1 million cases in the 
United States. Blacks are 8 times more likely to have AIDS than their 
White counterparts. The racial disparities are clear, with HIV being 
the main cause of death for both Black men and women between the ages 
of 25 to 44. It is of utmost importance that we take action and stand 
together to stop this pandemic from spreading further.
  Congress has played its part in trying to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 
I applaud the House for passing the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment 
Extension Act. The Ryan White program has been serving people with AIDS 
and HIV for nearly two decades. It provides care, treatment, and 
support services to nearly half a million people--most of whom are low-
income. This bill increases the authorization level for each part of 
the Ryan White program by 5 percent a year for the next four years, 
making important investments in care and treatment services to ensure 
the highest quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients, while also funding 
prevention and outreach programs. I have myself introduced H.R. 1964, 
The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009, 
which seeks funds for the prevention, testing, education, treatment and 
care of HIV/AIDS.
  Although great efforts have been made to fight HIV/AIDS, much is left 
to be done by both, the government and citizens. World AIDS Awareness 
Day is about prevention, education, and increasing awareness of this 
pandemic that is affecting millions around the globe. This day will 
bring to many the education necessary to create the awareness necessary 
to prevent HIV/AIDS, as well as give us a moment to recognize and 
remember those who have suffered from this disease.

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