[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 18357]]

   A TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH AIDS (NAPWA)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
National Association of People with Aids (NAPWA)--the leading advocate 
on behalf of all people living with HIV and AIDS in order to end the 
pandemic and human suffering caused by HIV/AIDS.
  NAPWA was founded in 1983 in Denver, Colorado, at the Second National 
AIDS Forum. This organization has been at the forefront of the AIDS 
epidemic to address the issues of equality and equal access to 
treatment and prevention methods regardless of race, gender, class, or 
sexual orientation. On Saturday, July 31, 1999, NAPWA will hold their 
Annual Retreat in Kansas City, Missouri, including a public forum on 
``AIDS Now and in the New Millennium,'' where a panel of leading 
experts, including Sandy Thurman, Director of the Office of National 
AIDS Policy, will discuss the latest developments in the effort to end 
the AIDS crisis. This forum will provide an opportunity for city, 
county, state, and national leaders, AIDS Service organizations, HIV 
infected individuals, health departments, faith communities, and 
medical professionals to talk about issues surrounding the AIDS 
epidemic and the funding that is needed to maintain quality health care 
services and innovative prevention strategies.
  At this forum, NAPWA will welcome Roger A. Gooden--an AIDS survivor 
and tireless advocate for people with AIDS--as the newly elected 
Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Gooden has a rich history of 
fighting for AIDS/HIV treatment and prevention, as well as for the 
rights of people with AIDS. He currently serves on the State of 
Missouri's Governor's Council on AIDS and the Board of Directors of the 
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Greater Kansas 
City. Recently, Mr. Gooden was honored by the Missouri Department of 
Health Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease 
Prevention, Bureau of HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention Services, in 
recognition of his dedication and service to the State of Missouri in 
advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS and the prevention of the 
spread of HIV. Mr. Gooden was also honored by Kansas City Mayor Emanual 
Cleaver and the City Council with a resolution and proclamation 
recognizing his election as Chairman of the Board of NAPWA and for his 
dedicated service and efforts in the fight against AIDS.
  NAPWA is an active and effective organization, providing many 
services to legislators and people with AIDS/HIV. For instance, NAPWA 
provides Community Education, Technical Assistance, and Regional 
Training Workshops around the country for people with HIV, to give them 
the skills they need to participate in HIV prevention community 
planning with Ryan White CARE Act Planning Bodies. NAPWA also 
coordinates a diverse national network of committed public speakers 
through the Leadership Development Initiative. This initiative, coupled 
with the Youth Initiative involves outreach services where peers talk 
to peers about AIDS and HIV, encouraging each other to modify risk 
behaviors and change attitudes toward people with AIDS/HIV.
  NAPWA also participates in a wide array of prevention, health 
promotion, and educational efforts for those infected with and at risk 
for HIV. NAPWA publishes several fact sheets, alerts, and reports, as 
well as supporting an Information and Referral Service, to provide the 
nation with up-to-date and accurate information about the AIDS 
pandemic. NAPWA also sponsors National HIV Testing Day in June of each 
year, to encourage early and frequent testing for HIV/AIDS, especially 
for those who are at higher risk.
  Mr. Speaker, NAPWA's highest priority is the development of effective 
new treatments and a cure for HIV disease. Please join me in commending 
NAPWA for its tireless efforts on behalf of people with AIDS.

                          ____________________