[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23498-23499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN SUPPORT OF BORDER BINATIONAL HEALTH WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 9, 2004

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of an 
important event that I am proud to say will soon take place in my 
congressional district of El Paso, Texas--Border Binational Health 
Week. Through the efforts of federal, state, and local stakeholders and 
community members in the United States and Mexico, Border Binational 
Health Week will raise awareness and strengthen our commitment to 
overcoming border health challenges.
  The border is a very dynamic region and a gateway for diseases such 
as gastrointestinal illnesses, a tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, and a 
disproportionate number of border residents suffer from chronic 
illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It is impossible to 
stop

[[Page 23499]]

the spread of diseases at the border, so we must work together, bi-
nationally, to address health concerns and combat illness. In short, 
Mexico and the United States must be partners in achieving our common 
goal of solving health problems along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  As part of that critical effort, I am pleased to announce that Border 
Binational Health Week will be held from October 11-17, 2004, and is 
being sponsored by the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. The 
Commission, along with many partners on both sides of the border, has 
worked diligently in developing the agenda for this extremely important 
event.
  The theme for Border Binational Health Week is ``Families in Action 
for Health.'' Some of the many topics to be highlighted are improving 
access to health care, reducing health disparities, and increasing 
immunization rates. The week will also include community mobilization 
efforts, informational presentations, policy forums, models of 
excellence programs, and health careers and professional exchanges--all 
illustrating the steps to a healthier border and advancing the goals of 
the Healthy Border 2010 initiative.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the efforts of the U.S.-
Mexico Border Health Commission and all those involved with Border 
Binational Health Week, and in wishing them a productive and successful 
week of events.

                          ____________________