[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H4917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE

  (Mr. HONDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, next week marks the launch of the 19th 
International AIDS Conference. It brings together advocates and leaders 
from all over the world.
  The conference's presence in the United States for the first time in 
20 years is a testament to the hard work that members of the HIV/AIDS 
community, including many in my district and my colleagues in Congress, 
like my dear friend, Barbara Lee, have done.
  In the 20 intervening years, we have for the first time in a 
generation seen infection rates go down within the United States and 
stabilize abroad. Despite these steps, however, it is clear that we are 
still losing the war in key minority communities. Rising infection 
rates in the African American, Latino, Asian, and gay and lesbian 
communities are a stark reminder that our work is not done.
  It is fitting that our Nation's Capital is hosting this critical 
event as it is in the epicenter of this rising problem. Washington, 
D.C., has a higher HIV/AIDS infection rate than most places in Africa, 
primarily in these minority communities.
  From legislative action to grassroots efforts, now is the time for 
more commitment to HIV/AIDS, not less; more advocacy, not less; more 
investment, not less; more research, not less.

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