[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ERADICATING HIV/AIDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today we unite in solidarity to eradicate 
HIV/AIDS in our communities across the world. We stand together to 
raise awareness about the epidemic so we can prevent further spread of 
the deadly virus and give hope to the 33.3 million people worldwide who 
are suffering from this terrible illness.
  In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention estimates that over one million people are HIV positive. 
What is even more tragic is that one in five people infected are 
unaware of it. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death for both 
the African American and Hispanic communities and presents a great 
hazard to our society.
  I believe Congress has a moral obligation to continue funding to 
eliminate HIV/AIDS despite our budgetary challenges. Earlier this year 
I introduced the National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS 
Act which would authorize several federal health agencies such as the 
National Institute of Health, Office of Minority Health of the 
Department of Health and Human Services, and the CDC to intensify 
awareness prevention, community outreach, testing, behavioral research, 
and increase grants to faith-based organizations in the African 
American community.
  This year's theme for World AIDS Day is `Getting to zero'. That means 
zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. 
These are common goals shared globally regardless of race, religion or 
political ideologies. Yet we can only accomplish these goals in America 
if we work together, Democrats and Republicans, in supporting bold 
initiatives and legislation to combat HIV/AIDS in our communities.

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