[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2160-E2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WORLD AIDS DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, as we pause to reflect on World AIDS 
Day, I want to thank the many activists and advocates who work 
tirelessly--every day--to focus increased attention on HIV/AIDS 
education, treatment and prevention. I want to recognize the great work 
of David Munar and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and Mark Ishaug and 
AIDS United, who--along with countless organizations across the country 
and world--are working to end HIV/AIDS and to ensure that people with 
HIV/AIDS live longer and better lives.
  HIV/AIDS is one of the world's most pressing global health 
challenges. It is a danger to global security and to the future of 
people around the world. Nearly 35 million people are living with HIV/
AIDS around the world, including over one million Americans. Our 
community, our nation and the entire world are threatened by this 
terrible pandemic.
  As the HIV virus has spread, the face of its victims has changed. 
Women now account for 52 percent of the adults living with HIV/AIDS 
around the world. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, gender 
inequalities have left women particularly vulnerable to infection. The 
battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among women will ultimately hinge 
on our ability to empower them with the information and the tools 
needed to protect themselves, their families and their communities. 
That is one of the reasons

[[Page E2161]]

that I have been such a strong supporter of microbisides research.
  The HIV/AIDS epidemic has not spared the world's children. Last year 
there were 3.4 million children across the globe living with HIV, and 
the disease has left more than 16.6 million AIDS orphans, most of whom 
live in sub-Saharan Africa, in its wake.
  Despite the many advances of the last thirty years, as the pandemic 
has grown, so have the challenges. Despite the significant expansion of 
treatment programs, only 47% of the 14.2 million people who were 
eligible for treatment were receiving it by the end of last year. 
Despite the 21% drop in deaths from AIDS since 2005, last year 1.8 
million people died of AIDS. HIV remains a leading cause of death 
worldwide and the number one cause of death in Africa.
  The United States has a responsibility to lead the fight against HIV/
AIDS by containing the spread of the virus, helping to provide 
treatment, and investing in a cure. It is critical that we continue to 
meet this responsibility, especially after last week's announcement by 
the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria that they 
cannot fund any new grants for at least two years because of the global 
financial crisis.
  To ensure that the millions of people battling HIV/AIDS do not become 
collateral damage of the economic downturn, and to uphold our 
responsibility as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, I will 
do whatever I can to ensure that we maintain commitment to domestic and 
global AIDS programs. That includes funding for PEPFAR and the Global 
Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, as well as vital funding for 
domestic programs like the Ryan White CARE Act, and the Housing 
Opportunities for People with AIDS Program, and especially, the AIDS 
Drug Assistance Program, given that some states are changing the income 
eligibility criteria for that program, while others are seeing waiting 
lists.
  While we have come far in the fight, we so have a long way to go, and 
we cannot afford to become complacent.

                          ____________________