[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION ON NATIONAL LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of the 3rd National Latino Aids 
Awareness Day on October 15, 2005. This is a national day of awareness 
and prevention against HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.
  The epidemic of HIV/AIDS continues to have a deleterious effect on 
minority communities nationwide. The Latino community has been 
disproportionately affected by AIDS. According to the latest data and 
statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos 
represent 14 percent of the population of the United States but account 
for 20 percent (over 164,000) of AIDS cases nationally. AIDS-related 
illnesses represent the fourth leading cause of death among Latinos 
ages 25 to 44. By the end of 2002, nearly 88,000 Latinos had died with 
AIDS.
  Latino communities face challenges in their fight against HIV/AIDS, 
including cultural stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, language barriers, 
lack of access to adequate healthcare, and high poverty levels. I want 
to highlight these concerns and also bring together our nation and 
community towards the commitment of creating new alliances, adopting 
culturally specific and appropriate interventions, and advocating for 
new funding and resources targeted to those communities most adversely 
affected by this horrible epidemic.
  National Latino AIDS Awareness Day salutes the more than 76,000 
Latino AIDS survivors in the United States and the efforts of victims, 
volunteers, and professionals who combat AIDS each day. It also 
recognizes and applauds national and community organizations for their 
work in promoting awareness about AIDS, providing information, and 
offering treatment to those who suffer from the disease. National 
Latino AIDS Awareness Day is a renewed commitment to ending the spread 
of HIV/AIDS and ensuring quality of life to those with HIV/AIDS in the 
Latino community. This day of observance is an important opportunity to 
bring the community together to focus on the current state of HIV/AIDS 
in Latino communities across the nation.
  I encourage Latinos and all Americans to learn more about HIV/AIDS 
prevention, testing and treatment. I ask that we remember those who 
have lost their lives to AIDS, show compassion toward and support for 
those currently living with the disease, and pray for all families and 
communities whose lives have been touched in some way. This nation can 
no longer afford to close its eyes and avoid the impact of HIV/AIDS. 
Let us commit to eliminating HIV/AIDS, not only in the Latino 
community, but also from all communities throughout the country and the 
world. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting National Latino 
AIDS Awareness Day.

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