[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 186 (Thursday, December 1, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WORLD AIDS DAY
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, today is World AIDS Day, and lest we
forget, it is not over yet.
In 2021, 1.5 million persons became infected with AIDS and 600,000
died; a pandemic or an epidemic. As we fought and scurried to save
lives against COVID-19, let us not forget.
I rise to thank all the AIDS advocacy groups and my particular
center, the Thomas Street Clinic, which will hold a World AIDS Day
ceremony today, one that I never miss except when in Washington.
I remember the days of standing at the bedsides of those who were
dying alone. We must continue to research, we must continue to
acknowledge, and we must continue to eliminate the stigma, for all of
those infected and affected AIDS must have human dignity.
I am reminded of my early engagement standing with the late Senator
Orrin Hatch and, of course, the late Senator Ted Kennedy when they
announced the Ryan White CARE Treatment Act, and what an amazing
impact.
We have lost many souls. Many families have suffered, but as
Americans, let us continue to fight against the scourge of AIDS and to
embrace those who are fighting and living with AIDS.
World AIDS Day. We should never forget. It is not over yet.
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