[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 70 (Friday, May 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF 
       NATIONAL ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2013

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I have reintroduced a resolution to 
honor the memory of 3,542 Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and 
Pacific Islanders we have lost to AIDS, and to recognize the 9,317 whom 
are still living with HIV/AIDS the United States. It supports the goals 
and ideals of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness 
Day, its observance, and, draws attention to the stigma and disparities 
that hinder proper treatment and prevention within these communities.
  Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders comprise more than 40 different 
ethnic subgroups, speaking more than 100 languages and dialects. This 
resolution recognizes the importance of providing access to culturally- 
and linguistically- competent services, especially HIV testing. 
According to an analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were the 
only racial/ethnic groups with a statistically significant increase in 
new HIV diagnoses. The CDC estimates that 37 percent of the HIV 
diagnoses among these communities progress to AIDS in less than 12 
months. Additionally, the CDC estimates that 1 in 3 Asian Americans, 
Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders living with HIV/AIDS are 
unaware they are infected.
  Yet, with increasing rates of infection, they continue to have the 
lowest rates of access to HIV-testing services. Although there are a 
number of factors that contribute to increasing rates of infections, 
stigma and discrimination associated with an HIV/AIDS has proved to be 
a leading factor in low testing rates and increased risk-taking 
behaviors.
  The observance of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day was established by the Banyan Tree Project, and began as 
a national campaign to raise awareness of the impact of the HIV/AIDS-
related stigma and how it contributes to lower testing rates and 
greater risk-taking behaviors. Additionally, the work continues with 
the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum who have worked 
nationally for more than 20 years, including in my home district of 
Guam, in helping to strengthen community-based organizations and 
programs responding to HIV/AIDS among Asian Americans, Native 
Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in addressing this need 
and advancing the larger cause of reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigmas and 
disparities in access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. I would 
like to thank my colleagues, Congressman Bera, Congresswoman 
Christensen, Congresswoman Chu, Congressman Faleomavaega, Congressman 
Grijalva, Congressman Himes, Congresswoman Lee, Congressman Lowenthal, 
Congresswoman McCollum, Congressman Scott Peters, Congressman 
Pierluisi, Congressman Rangel, Congressman Sablan, Congressman Adam 
Smith, Congresswoman Speier, and Congressman Takano, for their support 
as original co-sponsors of this resolution.

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