[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE XIX INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the XIX 
International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2012, to Washington, DC this week. 
This year, for the first time since 1990, the XIX International AIDS 
Conference is being held in the United States. This conference gives 
those living with the disease, scientists, doctors, advocates, 
policymakers and government officials an opportunity to collaborate and 
share information regarding the various scientific advances in HIV/AIDS 
treatment and prevention. This year's theme, ``Turning the Tide 
Together,'' was selected to emphasize ``how a global and decisive 
commitment is crucial to change the course of the epidemic now that 
science is presenting promising results in HIV treatment and biomedical 
prevention.''
  Empirical data indicates over 34 million individuals worldwide have 
HIV/AIDS. In the United States alone, there are approximately 1.2 
million people infected with HIV/AIDS. Of the 1.2 million, 
approximately half are African-American and only about 13 percent of 
the United States population.
  ``Turning the Tide Together'' is a call to action. One of the issues 
that will be addressed at the conference is the racial disparities of 
the disease. Specifically, conferees will discuss ``strengthening the 
responses to HIV among the diverse populations and communities affected 
by this disease, to advance the knowledge, implementation and scale up 
of evidence-informed HIV and AIDS strategies and programs.'' As of June 
2011, there are over 27,000 people living with HIV or AIDS in my 
congressional district, which is located in central Brooklyn. Of that 
27,000, close to 60 percent are Black Americans. Unfortunately, my 
district has the highest number of newly diagnosed cases in New York 
City and for a variety of reasons, one of which is lack of access to 
healthcare. We have the worst post-diagnosis outcomes in New York City.
  Given the numbers from my district, I am thrilled that this year's 
conference is about action. It is about mobilizing everyone and taking 
decisive measures--whether it is on a specific health policy or making 
sure prescription drugs are affordable and accessible to those who need 
it. Though the HIV/AIDS community still has a long way to go, we have 
come so far since the beginning of the epidemic in the 1980s. We are at 
the crossroads of HIV detection and treatment, and at the threshold of 
preventive measures. Given the emerging scientific breakthroughs, I 
firmly believe that we will eradicate the HIV/AIDS pandemic through 
advances in medicine, technology and scientific research--if we work 
collectively. This international conference is a great stepping stone, 
providing an opportunity for some of the world's greatest minds to 
exchange ideas and work towards ``turning the tide together.''

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