[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 87 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1116-E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MARKING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF AIDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the 
first AIDS

[[Page E1117]]

diagnosis. On June 5, 1981, the Centers for Disease Control published 
the first mention of what would later be determined to be HIV. Since 
that time, the disease has taken a heavy toll on populations both at 
home and around the world. We remember those who have lost their lives 
to AIDS and honor those who have dedicated their lives to fighting this 
terrible disease.
  The United States has been a world leader in this fight, and there is 
reason to be optimistic. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief, PEPFAR, has directly supported life-saving antiretroviral 
treatment for more than 3.2 million men, women and children worldwide. 
In fiscal year 2010 alone, PEPFAR programs treated more than 600,000 
HIV-positive pregnant women allowing more than 114,000 infants to be 
born HIV-free. In addition, PEPFAR directly supported HIV counseling 
and testing for nearly 33 million people, providing a critical entry 
point to prevention, treatment, and care.
  In recent years there have been real advances in the treatment and 
prevention of AIDS. A scientific trial of microbicide gel has shown it 
to reduce the risk of a woman becoming infected with HIV during sex by 
almost 40 percent. Another trial has revealed that drugs used to treat 
HIV may also be effective in preventing infection.
  We must do more to ensure that scientific breakthroughs in HIV/AIDS 
reach the most vulnerable populations. Mother-to-child transmission of 
HIV has been virtually eliminated in the developed world; however, 
1,000 babies are still infected with HIV around the world each day. 
This is deplorable when we have the tools and medicines to end 
pediatric AIDS. I commend UNAIDS and PEPFAR for their plan to virtually 
eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.
  U.S. contributions to multi-lateral organizations such as UNAIDS and 
the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are critical to 
ending the AIDS epidemic. To date, the Global Fund has provided support 
to treat three million HIV-positive people, and reached 150 million 
people with HIV counseling and testing.
  We have come a long way since that June day 30 years ago. I am proud 
of the resources this body has dedicated over the years to fighting HIV 
and AIDS. Along with saving lives, this funding helps to free 
developing countries from the burden of disease, allowing economic 
growth and increased stability. I urge my colleagues to continue our 
commitment to fighting this disease.

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