[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

  (Ms. LEE of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, as the founding cochair of the 
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, I rise to recognize National Black HIV/
AIDS Awareness Day.
  While I believe every day should be HIV awareness day, February 7 is 
an important day to recognize the effect this epidemic has on African 
Americans. Although only 14 percent of the U.S. population, African 
Americans account for almost half of those living and dying with HIV 
and AIDS in this country.
  This year's theme is ``I am My Brother's Keeper, I am My Sister's 
Keeper.'' People of faith know it is unacceptable that a woman of color 
in the United States is 15 times more likely to be living with HIV than 
a white woman her age. People of faith know that it's unacceptable that 
our young men, particularly gay and bisexual men, are most affected in 
this country. We cannot allow this crisis to continue.
  We have the tools we need to end the AIDS epidemic. I urge everyone 
to get tested and take steps to protect themselves from the virus.
  I call on members of the faith community, the private sector, health 
organizations, community leaders, teachers, parents, and the media to 
come together like never before.
  The story of African Americans is one of resilience. I have great 
hope and expectation that we can once again persevere and we can stamp 
HIV and AIDS from the face of the Earth.

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