[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE AFIYA CENTER OF DALLAS, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JASMINE CROCKETT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2023

  Ms. CROCKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 
Afiya Center, a Dallas-based reproductive health organization that has 
been at the forefront of providing refuge, education, and resources to 
address the unique needs of Black women and gender-expansive 
individuals. Established in response to the disproportionate impact of 
the HIV-AIDS epidemic on Black women and girls in Texas, the Afiya 
Center stands as the only Black women-led, Black women-centered, and 
Black women-inclusive reproductive justice organization in the state.
  Through their life-enriching programs, the Afiya Center has worked 
tirelessly to address socioeconomic disparities among Black women at 
risk, or living with, HIV-AIDS. The organization has also been 
instrumental in promoting birth justice and improving Black maternal 
health outcomes in Dallas and throughout Texas. As a safety network, 
collaborator, resource center, and info-hub, the Afiya Center has 
played a pivotal role in mobilizing grassroots organizing and 
advocating for policy changes throughout the state.
  The Afiya Center's ``Get Tested, Grab a Bite'' community HIV testing 
day event, celebrating its 10th year, demonstrates the organization's 
commitment towards decreasing HIV, destigmatizing HIV-AIDS within the 
community, and addressing the social determinants of health that 
disproportionately affect Black women in Texas by providing free HIV 
testing. Moreover, this year's event goes beyond HIV testing by 
providing additional resources such as COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, 
Medicaid enrollment, and other services. Given that an estimated one-
in-seven people living with HIV unaware of their status, testing events 
like the Afiya Center's are vital to not only raise awareness and 
promote responsible relations but also to encourage individuals to 
prioritize their health and destigmatize this preventable disease.
  Texas, and particularly Dallas County, continues to face significant 
challenges regarding HIV prevalence. Over 18,000 people in the Dallas 
area are living with HIV, and despite advances in testing and medicine, 
the United States still experiences high rates of new infections. Black 
women and girls bear a disproportionate burden, with more than half of 
Black Texans living with HIV being women. The Afiya Center's unwavering 
dedication to addressing these disparities and providing support to 
those affected is commendable.
  I urge my colleagues and the public to recognize the crucial work 
that organizations like the Afiya Center provide and support their 
ongoing efforts. Together, we can promote HIV awareness, eliminate 
stigma, and ensure that all individuals have access to the necessary 
resources and care they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
  I commend the Afiya Center for their tireless advocacy, their 
commitment to reproductive justice, and their transformative influence 
on the countless lives they have touched. Their remarkable achievements 
and the impactful work they do each and every day is a testament to 
their mission of empowering individuals, eliminating stigma, and 
striving for a healthier and more equitable future.

                          ____________________