[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 1883-1891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 30) supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 30

       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control (``CDC'') has 
     stated that, at the end of 2003, over 172,000 African 
     Americans were living

[[Page 1884]]

     with AIDS, representing 42 percent of all cases in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the CDC has further stated that, in 2003, African 
     Americans accounted for 50 percent of all new HIV infections, 
     despite representing only about 12.3 percent of the 
     population (according to the 2000 Census);
       Whereas the CDC estimates that, in 2003, African American 
     women represented 67 percent of all new AIDS cases among 
     women, and were 23 times more likely to be infected than 
     white women;
       Whereas the CDC estimates that 69 percent of all children 
     born to HIV infected mothers in 2003 were African American;
       Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of 
     HIV infection among African American men is sexual contact 
     with other men, followed by intravenous drug use and 
     heterosexual contact;
       Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of 
     HIV infection among African American women is heterosexual 
     contact, followed by intravenous drug use;
       Whereas, in 2000, AIDS was among the top three causes of 
     death for African American men in the age group 25 through 
     54, and African American women in the age group 35 through 
     44;
       Whereas the CDC estimates that, since 1994, African 
     Americans have the poorest survival rates of any racial or 
     ethnic group diagnosed with AIDS, with 55 percent surviving 
     after 9 years compared to 61 percent of Hispanics, 64 percent 
     of whites, and 69 percent of Asian Pacific Islanders;
       Whereas, in 1998, the Congress and the Clinton 
     Administration created the National Minority AIDS Initiative 
     to help coordinate funding, build capacity, and provide 
     prevention, care, and treatment services within the African 
     American, Hispanic, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Native 
     American communities;
       Whereas, in 1999, the CDC provided funding to five national 
     nonprofit organizations known as the Community Capacity 
     Building Coalition (``CCBC''): Concerned Black Men, Inc. of 
     Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion 
     Services, Jackson State University--Mississippi Urban 
     Research Center; National Black Alcoholism & Addictions 
     Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS;
       Whereas the CCBC assists with leadership development of 
     community-based organizations (``CBOs''), establishes and 
     links provider networks, builds community prevention 
     infrastructure, promotes technical assistance among CBOs, and 
     raises awareness among African-American communities;
       Whereas, on February 23, 2001, the CCBC organized the first 
     annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, whose slogan is 
     ``Get Educated, Get Involved, Get Tested''; and
       Whereas February 7 of each year is now recognized as 
     National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/
     AIDS Awareness Day and recognizes the fifth anniversary of 
     observing such day;
       (2) encourages State and local governments, including their 
     public health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize 
     its importance among their communities, and to encourage 
     individuals to undergo testing for HIV;
       (3) encourages national, State, and local media 
     organizations to carry messages in support of National Black 
     HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
       (4) commends the President for highlighting HIV/AIDS in the 
     State of the Union address; for emphasizing the importance of 
     addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African American 
     community, especially among African American women; as well 
     as international efforts to address the global HIV/AIDS 
     epidemic;
       (5) encourages enactment of effective HIV prevention 
     programs, including ABC programs like those implemented in 
     Uganda, which recognizes abstinence and being faithful to 
     one's lifetime partner as effective ways to prevent HIV; and
       (6) encourages States to enact HIV surveillance programs 
     consistent with recognized infectious disease control methods 
     to ensure accurate data, better targeting of resources, and 
     improved delivery of health services to those living with 
     HIV.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House will consider H. Con. Res. 
30. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States has changed dramatically 
over the past 2 decades. In 1981 when patients were first diagnosed 
with AIDS, they typically only survived a few months. Today, new 
treatments prolong life for HIV/AIDS patients and can even prevent 
transmission of the virus from mother to child. Research and 
development activities at the National Institutes of Health, in 
addition to significant investments in the private sector, have 
transformed how we treat this disease.
  As the newly appointed chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, I look 
forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle to continue 
the progress we have made in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. That 
includes examining programs to ensure that we are adequately responding 
to this epidemic, especially in communities disproportionately affected 
by the disease. Too many Americans are still infected with this deadly 
disease, when we know there are proven ways to prevent its 
transmission.
  One project that I intend to work on will be the reauthorization of 
the Ryan White CARE Act programs. Congress invests approximately $2 
billion in Ryan White CARE Act programs. Before reauthorizing these 
programs, we will evaluate how program dollars are allocated so that 
taxpayer resources are indeed providing critical treatment services to 
those areas with the greatest needs. Legislation we advance will 
incorporate changes to strengthen these programs so that better results 
are achieved.
  As we recognize and encourage others to participate in the activities 
this week to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, I would also like to draw 
special attention to President Bush for his efforts to address the HIV/
AIDS epidemic, both in the United States and around the world. 
President Bush has proven time and again his commitment to improving 
the lives of those impacted by HIV/AIDS and deserves our support for 
these endeavors.
  I encourage my colleagues to adopt this resolution
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might 
consume. I want to thank my colleague, of course, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee), who has really distinguished herself in this body 
as a real leader for introducing this bill. This bill has the 
bipartisan support of 52 cosponsors and deserves the support of all the 
Members of the House.
  Mr. Speaker, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was held on 
February 7 in cities and towns all over this country, including 
Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los 
Angeles, Miami and New Orleans, New York of course, Philadelphia, 
Washington, D.C., and many, many, more. This annual observance was 
created to encourage African Americans across the United States to get 
educated, get tested, and get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
  Now, some people may wonder, why is it necessary to have a day to 
reach out to the African American? And let me indicate to those that 
raise that question that I wish it was not necessary to have this kind 
of targeted outreach effort. But, unfortunately, it is not only 
necessary; it is vital to us that we do this. It is just so important.
  It is of vital importance because every day in this country 72 
African Americans are infected with HIV. According to the Centers For 
Disease Control, African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of 
the population of the United States, but they represent 40 percent of 
the total AIDS cases reported in this country. In 2003, CDC revealed 
that more African Americans were reported to have AIDS than any other 
racial or ethnic group. In my own congressional district, the largely 
African American neighborhoods of Ft. Greene and East New York continue 
to experience the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in New York City.

[[Page 1885]]

  In the United States, nearly 406,000 people were living with AIDS at 
the end of 2003, and African Americans accounted for half of these AIDS 
cases. Among women, rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis in African American 
women are 19 times higher than those of white women and five times 
higher than those of Hispanic women. Sadly, African Americans also 
suffer the vast majority of deaths caused by AIDS, accounting for more 
than half of all U.S. AIDS-related deaths in 2003.
  While these statistics are tragic, we must never shrug our shoulders 
and say nothing can be done.
  We must remember HIV/AIDS is totally preventable. So in the face of 
this immense human tragedy, we cannot give up. We must embrace the 
opportunity to encourage people to get educated, get tested, and get 
involved in the fight against AIDS. We must never forget that apathy 
and silence lead to ignorance, and ignorance leads to death. Members of 
this Congress must stand together to break the silence and reject the 
ignorance which is leading to the death of ordinary people in countless 
communities all over this land.
  Mr. Speaker, we must not only use the well of the House as a forum; 
we must, as I said, we must use our budget process to provide the 
necessary funding for this as well. That is why I hope that this body 
will move expeditiously on the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE 
Act. Down through the years, this act has provided the primary source 
for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. We need to ensure that these 
funds will continue to be available to meet the needs of those who are 
affected by this disease.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to 
remember, more funding will save many more lives and stop the spread of 
AIDS.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), my colleague.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for bringing 
this legislation before us today, and let me just say that I agree with 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), that we need to be sure that 
people are educated, tested, and treated because, certainly, no other 
area of AIDS treatment has seen the success of preventing the 
transmission of AIDS from a mother to a newborn if that mother is 
tested, identified, and treated during her pregnancy.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for his leadership 
and his assistance and his commitment to addressing this pandemic and 
also for yielding me the time.
  Also, let me just thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal). I 
would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Barton) and the 
gentleman from Michigan (Ranking Member Dingell) of the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce and also their staffs for helping us bring this 
bill to the floor today.
  I want to especially thank our leadership staff and Christos Tsentas 
of my office, who worked day and night to make sure that the resolution 
became a bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 days ago, on February 7, we commemorated the fifth 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day when we urged African 
Americans and all Americans to get educated, to get involved, and get 
tested. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created in 2001 by a 
coalition of five national nonprofit organizations to raise awareness 
about the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African American 
community.
  The numbers are startling, Mr. Speaker. Over 42 percent of all people 
living with HIV and AIDS are African American, even though, as my 
colleague from New York pointed out, we only represent about 13 percent 
of the population. That is about 172,000 people.
  Each year, African Americans make up over half of all new HIV/AIDS 
cases diagnosed in the United States. In 2003, 67 percent of all women 
diagnosed with AIDS were African American and 69 percent of all 
pediatric AIDS cases were born to African American mothers.
  Behind each statistic, of course, is a real human being with family 
and friends who care about them. So we are here today for all of them, 
but we are also here to raise awareness among decision-makers in 
Congress and in the administration.
  Many of my colleagues and I quite frankly were outraged last year 
during the Vice Presidential debates when Gwen Ifill asked both 
candidates to comment on the fact that black women between the ages of 
25 and 44 are 13 times more likely to die of AIDS than their 
counterparts and both candidates were really quite frankly unaware of 
this.
  So, Mr. Speaker, today I want to say it loud and clear so there is no 
misunderstanding. AIDS is a public health emergency for African 
Americans. The Congressional Black Caucus was out front of this 
epidemic 6 years ago when we worked with the Clinton administration to 
create the Minority AIDS Initiative, and I want to recognize and thank 
our colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for her 
passionate and dedicated work as chairman of the CBC then in putting 
together the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998.

                              {time}  1130

  She convened a national meeting here in Washington, D.C., and sounded 
the clarion call for all of us. Out of that effort, we declared in my 
district 6 years ago, as it relates to African Americans, a state of 
emergency.
  Nationally, African American women are increasingly becoming more 
infected. Let us be for real. There has been a lot of discussion about 
many facts and a lot of individuals and communities really heap a lot 
of blame on men who are considered on the ``down low.'' Now, this is 
defined as men who lead secret double lives having sex with other men 
on the side. Some people feel that the down low is contributing to 
these statistics. But the truth is, we just do not know.
  We have to be honest with each other. This is not new. But we must 
break the silence, for if we do not, the disease will continue to 
spread. We must respect each other's individual personal views, but 
this is a public health issue that requires a frank and open discussion 
about sex and sexuality. We insist that leaders in Africa speak up 
frankly to discuss the pandemic on the continent. We applaud President 
Museveni. We must demand our leadership on all levels break the 
silence. It is about life and death, not about personal views of 
morality.
  The HIV/AIDS rate in our prisons is 10 times higher than in the 
general public. Ten times. And most of those incarcerated are African 
Americans and Latinos. What happens when over 70 percent of them return 
to their communities next year? Talk about a public health disaster. 
This is going to be catastrophic. Pediatric AIDS cases will continue to 
soar. We cannot ignore the reality of this situation any more.
  Mr. Speaker, we need a comprehensive solution. Now, I commend 
President Bush for mentioning this in his State of the Union speech, 
but it is not enough for the President to talk about AIDS in the State 
of the Union. We have to follow through, and he has to follow through 
with the funding to combat it. The budget which the President submitted 
included a $10 million increase for the Ryan White CARE Act next year, 
but this will not really cut it. We need a realistic level of funding 
that meets the need and provides at least $513 million more, a 
realistic level of funding.
  Let me just say in conclusion that we need a comprehensive approach 
that embraces abstinence, A; being faithful, B; and if you do not do 
either, use a condom. That is ABC. We have to stop the misguided 
ideological attack on prevention methods that work and that have been 
proven to work. An abstinence-only approach will not work. Again, it is 
abstain, it is be faithful, and if you do not do either, you use a 
condom.
  This is not an ideological issue. We all have constituents affected 
by this

[[Page 1886]]

disease. So let us come together and support a comprehensive response. 
Again, this is about life and death. We cannot keep our heads in the 
sand.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Barton and Ranking Member 
Dingell of the Energy and Commerce Committee and their staffs for 
helping me bring this bill to the floor today. And I also want to thank 
the leadership staff for their help.
  Mr. Speaker, two days ago, on February 7th, we commemorated the 5th 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day--a day when we urged African 
Americans and all Americans to ``Get Educated, Get Involved, and Get 
Tested''. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created in 2001 by 
a coalition of five national non-profit organizations to raise 
awareness about the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African-
American community.
  The numbers are startling, Mr. Speaker. Over 42 percent of all people 
living with HIV/AIDS are African American, even though we only 
represent only about 13 percent of the population. That's about 172,000 
people. Each year, African Americans make up over half of all new HIV/
AIDS cases diagnoses in the U.S. In 2003, 67 percent of all women 
diagnosed with AIDS were African American. And 69 percent of all 
pediatric AIDS cases were born to African American mothers.
  Behind each statistic is a real human being, with family and friends 
who care about them. So we are here today for all of them. But we are 
also here to raise awareness among decision-makers in Congress and the 
Administration.
  Many of my colleagues and I were outraged last year during the Vice 
Presidential debates when Gwen Ifill asked both candidates to comment 
on the fact that black women between the ages of 25 and 44 are 13 times 
more likely to die of AIDS than their counterparts and both were 
unaware of this. So, Mr. Speaker, today I want say it loud and clear so 
there is no misunderstanding.
  AIDS is a public health emergency for African Americans.
  The Congressional Black Caucus was out in front of this epidemic six 
years ago, when we worked with the Clinton Administration to create the 
Minority AIDS Initiative. And I want to recognize and thank my 
colleague, Rep. Maxine Waters, for her passionate and dedicated work as 
Chair of the CBC in putting together the Minority AIDS Initiative in 
1998. She convened a national meeting here in Washington, DC and 
sounded the clarion call for all of us. Out of that effort, we declared 
a State of Emergency in my district six years ago, as it relates to the 
African American community, because in Alameda County, our statistics 
are nearly identical to the national averages.
  Nationally, African American women are becoming increasingly 
infected. Most of these women get infected through heterosexual 
contact, while most African American men get HIV from sex with other 
men. That is a fact. So let's be for real.
  There's been a lot of discussion about these facts, and a lot of 
blame heaped on men who are on the ``down low'', defined as men who 
lead secret double lives having sex with other men on the side. Some 
people feel that the down low is contributing to these statistics, but 
the truth is we just don't know. But let's be honest with each other. 
This is not new. But we must break the silence, for if we don't, this 
disease will continue to spread.
  We must respect each other's personal views, but this is a public 
health issue that requires a frank and open discussion about sex and 
sexuality. We insist that leaders in Africa speak up frankly to address 
the pandemic on the continent--we must demand that our leadership on 
all fronts begin to break this silence. It is about life and death, not 
personal views of morality. Look at our prison system.
  The HIV rate in our prisons is ten times higher than in the general 
public. Most of those incarcerated are African Americans and Latinos. 
What happens when over 70 percent of them return to their communities 
next year? Talk about a public health disaster--this will be 
catastrophic. Pediatric AIDS cases will continue to soar. We can't 
afford to ignore the realities of this situation any longer.
  Mr. Speaker, we need a comprehensive solution. I commend President 
Bush for mentioning this in his State of the Union Speech. It's not 
enough for the President to talk about AIDS in the State of the Union 
Address, however--he's got to follow through with funding to combat it. 
The Budget which the President submitted includes a $10 million 
increase for the Ryan White CARE Act next year. That won't cut it. We 
need a realistic level of funding that meets the need, and provides at 
least $513 million more for Ryan White, for a total of $2.6 billion. 
And we need to rapidly increase funding for the Minority AIDS 
Initiative, to at least $610 million this year. We cannot accept 
another year of flat funding from this Administration.
  And as far as prevention is concerned, we need a comprehensive 
approach that embraces the ABCs, Abstain, Be Faithful, use a Condom if 
you don't do either. We've got to stop this misguided, ideological 
attack on prevention methods that work, and that have been proven to 
work.
  An Abstinence-only approach will not work by itself. Again Abstain, 
Be Faithful--if you don't do either, use a Condom. We all have 
constituents that are affected by this disease. Let's come together to 
support a comprehensive response. Again, this is about life or death. 
We cannot keep our heads in the sand.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Georgia for yielding me this time and providing me the opportunity to 
speak on this important issue. I want to commend the gentlewoman from 
California for her leadership in this arena.
  As I have spoken about many times on the floor of the House, prior to 
being elected to the Congress, I used to take care of AIDS patients; 
and I and my colleagues in the field began to see in the 1980s the very 
disturbing trend lines in the black community; and indeed now, today, 
those trend lines continue going up and up and up, and we have a very 
significant crisis.
  The President asked me several years ago to assist him in getting his 
African AIDS initiative through the House and getting it enacted into 
law, and I was very pleased to be able to help in that arena. I had the 
opportunity to go to Africa twice in 2003 to actually look at what was 
going on in Africa, what was working and what was not working.
  Since that time, I have met with many of the black ministers in my 
congressional district. Florida has had a problem with AIDS literally 
from the getgo. We were one of the States with the higher prevalence 
rates. Close to 95,000 people in Florida currently live with HIV or 
AIDS, which is about 10 or 11 percent of the national total. The Miami-
Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward County areas tend to be the most 
adversely affected areas. African Americans, Haitians, and other people 
from the Caribbean islands make up a disproportionately high number. It 
is roughly half of all HIV/AIDS cases, but they are only 14 percent of 
the population.
  What is particularly disturbing, and I think the gentlewoman from 
California touched on this, is that black women are becoming 
disproportionately involved. Seventy-two percent of both HIV and AIDS 
cases in Florida's black community involve women. So this is a 
disproportionately large number of black Americans and a 
disproportionately large number of women.
  It is estimated that one in 47 black Floridians have HIV/AIDS 
compared to one in 176 Hispanics and one in 346 whites. CDC reports 
that HIV/AIDS transmission among African American men is mostly due to 
men having sex with men, but among African American women it is through 
heterosexual contact.
  Now, I can get into a lot of the medical details here, but it is 
really not the appropriate environment, so I will just throw out that 
from an epidemiologic perspective, part of the problem in the black 
community is similar to what was the problem in the gay community in 
the 1980s, and it is actually a phenomenon called ``concurrence.'' 
Until we can get at that issue appropriately, we are not going to 
really defeat this challenge.
  I was very glad that the gentlewoman mentioned ABC. There is too much 
of an emphasis on the C and not enough on the A and the B, and I 
encourage all of my colleagues to look at what happened in Uganda in 
the 1980s, the late 1980s and the early 1990s. They lowered their AIDS 
rate from 17 percent, 16 percent, down to about 5 or 6 percent with no 
condoms being shipped in from Europe and other places. No help from the 
United States, Europe, or NATO. The Ugandans did it on their own. And 
what was it? It was A, B, C, with an emphasis on abstinence.
  The statistics from this we should never discount. People are smarter 
than a lot of the experts give them credit for. You give them the 
facts,

[[Page 1887]]

they can change their behavior. Faithfulness in marriage and abstinence 
education had a profound impact in Uganda. We need to stress that 
throughout the African continent; and most importantly, our pastors in 
the black communities need to start getting that out to their 
congregations and public health officials.
  I believe we can turn this challenge around. I commend the 
gentlewoman and the Black Caucus leadership on this issue. It is really 
a problem, and I think if we do more, we can get a lot of good things 
done.
  I used to take care of these patients. It is very, very tragic; and I 
believe that the costs associated with this are going to be huge in the 
years ahead. So if you are not motivated by compassion, look at the 
dollars. We should all be motivated, white, black, Democrat, 
Republican, to get engaged on this and do something.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have left?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). The gentleman from New York has 
9\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rush).
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to thank my friend, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), for yielding me this time; and I 
want to commend him for his many, many years of outstanding leadership 
not only on the issue of HIV/AIDS but on other issues that face the 
American people.
  I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lee), a person I have known for many years; and I commend her for her 
leadership not only on this issue but on many issues facing the 
American people. I want to thank her for introducing this fine piece of 
legislation, this resolution supporting the goals of the National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  Mr. Speaker, if you take a look at the AIDS crisis today, you will 
find some startling, disturbing, and, quite frankly, unacceptable 
statistics. Even though African Americans only make up 12.3 percent of 
the population, they account for 3 percent of all AIDS cases since the 
epidemic began. Black women have been hit the hardest, absolutely the 
hardest, with 72 percent of all AIDS cases for women being African 
American. The worst statistic of all, however, is that black Americans 
have the worst survival rate among all racial and ethnic groups, with 
only a 55 percent survival rate after 9 years, compared with 64 percent 
survival rates for whites.
  Mr. Speaker, these statistics illustrate in the starkest terms that 
racial disparities continue to exist when it comes to HIV/AIDS. This is 
a crisis within my community and it needs to be addressed, and it needs 
to be addressed with urgency, and it needs to be addressed with speed.
  Black Americans continue to suffer from unequal access to quality 
health care. Moreover, it is vitally important that black Americans 
undergo testing for HIV in order to detect the virus early and to 
prevent its spread within the community.
  National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is celebrating its fifth 
anniversary, and I think it is a good public relations campaign to 
encourage exactly this type of early testing and intervention. The 
gentlewoman from California needs to be thanked again and again and 
again for introducing this resolution. I admire her courage and her 
commitment and her compassion.
  But, Mr. Speaker, we need more than just talk and good will; we need 
action. We need ABC, abstinence, faithfulness, and condoms. Mr. 
Speaker, I hope that this Congress will address this issue with 
resources and conviction.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, we have heard statistic after statistic. We have heard 
number after number. It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an 
emergency situation in the African American community. It is a real 
problem across the country in all communities. The question that comes 
is: What do we really do about it?
  I commend the President for mentioning in his State of the Union 
address an additional focus on the issue. I agree with my friend from 
Florida who suggests that we need abstinence and education information, 
but we really need a comprehensive approach to the problem. We must 
have enough resources for treatment, we must focus on prevention, and 
we must focus on changing and altering lifestyles.
  Mr. Speaker, America has within it the resources to really deal with 
this issue; we just need the will. I commend the gentlewoman from 
California for her leadership and all of those who have pledged to do 
what they can. I also commend all of those individuals in my community. 
I have been publicly tested three times to help convince individuals to 
be tested, to do the things that are necessary. Churches are getting 
more involved, as they should. We must continue.
  Mr. Speaker, according to the 2000 Census, African Americans make up 
12.3 percent of the Nation's population but account for 40 percent of 
the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began. Through 
science, research, and medical advancements, there are better 
treatments, prevention efforts, and a decline in AIDS diagnoses and 
deaths, except for African Americans. Between 1999 and 2003, AIDS 
diagnoses among African-Americans increased by 7 percent, compared to a 
3 percent decline among White Americans. Deaths among African Americans 
remained fairly stable but declined by 18 percent among White Americans 
over this period. In 2003, 59 children younger than 13 years of age in 
our country had a new AIDS diagnosis, 40 of the 59 were African-
American. Of the 90 infants reported as having HIV/AIDS in 2003, 62 of 
the 90 were African-American.
  It is important Congress takes time to focus and support January 7th 
as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, especially since the 
startling statistics continue. In 2002-2003, the HIV/AIDS rates for 
African-American females were 19 times the rates for White females and 
5 times the rate for Hispanic females. Although African-American teens 
ages 13-19 represent only 15 percent of the teenagers in our Nation, 
they accounted for 65 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 
2002.
  In Illinois and Chicago, we also continue to lose our African-
American mothers, sisters and young people--the future generation--
incredibly more than any other group in American to AIDS. Approximately 
66 percent of Illinois women living with HIV are African-American, 
while African Americans only make up 15 percent of the Illinois female 
population. In Chicago, African-American women are 12 times that of 
White women and 4 times that of Hispanic women to have AIDS. In 
Illinois, African-Americans accounted for 58 percent of reported AIDS 
cases among teens ages 13 to 19.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today rattling off statistic after 
statistic because HIV/AIDS is plaguing and destroying African-American 
communities. Yet, I wonder how many of my colleagues or how many 
Americans, including African-Americans, know how devastating and 
destructive this disease is on one population in our country. It leads 
to the questions, why is more not being done? Why has this not been 
considered a national public health emergency? With more African-
American males in prison, more African-American females living and 
dying with HIV/AIDS, what is to happen to the African-American children 
and families?
  We all must get behind the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 
slogan ``Get Educated, Get Involved, Get Tested''. I am proud to have 
joined individuals in my congressional district last year on Worlds 
AIDS Day and got tested. I am also very excited and pleased that the 
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, AFC, introduced its new Faith in Prevention 
initiative last year, which aims to include 12 churches and faith-based 
organizations to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS on the health of 
African-American men and women in Chicago. Each received a leadership 
grant to support activities such as HIV outreach and education, HIV 
prevention Ministries, support groups and awareness events.
  Again, I support this legislation and thank the gentlewoman from 
California for her dedication to HIV/AIDS and for bring this 
legislation to the floor. But I remind our country--more needs to be 
done.

[[Page 1888]]



                              {time}  1145

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the 
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Towns) for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this 
important issue.
  I rise to support this resolution. Monday of this week was National 
Black HIV and AIDS Awareness and Information Day. It is timely for us 
to consider this resolution, but this can only be the beginning.
  Today, African American women have a 23 times greater AIDS rate than 
white women, and African American men almost nine times greater rate of 
AIDS than their white counterparts. It was my honor, along with the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), this Monday to host the Howard 
University National AIDS Education and Training Center here on Capitol 
Hill for a briefing on where we are in the epidemic and the outstanding 
work they have been able to do in providing technical assistance, 
training and support to centers and providers around our country that 
serve minority populations with HIV and AIDS.
  It was great to hear and see the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative funding 
doing exactly what it was intended to do, build capacity in heavily 
affected communities and improve culturally and linguistically 
concordant community-driven services.
  Later on in the evening of Black AIDS Day, I joined New York City 
Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Councilman Al Vann in recognizing 
several community activists for their work. We also honored Debra 
Fraser Howze, the founder and president of the National Black 
Leadership Commission on AIDS, who chaired the day's activities 
nationally. Debra was also one of the moving forces behind the creation 
of the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and we take this opportunity to 
recognize her contribution.
  I also want to talk about some of the threats that are increasing the 
risk of HIV and AIDS, especially in women. First are the cuts in the 
President's budget in AIDS programs and all of health, but also the 
cuts in education, housing, and economic opportunity programs which 
will fuel the spread of this disease.
  Second is the misguided decision on the part of the department not to 
target funding of the small initiative to the indigenous community and 
faith-based organizations in the most severely impacted communities of 
color. We have to empower our communities to be able to effect change.
  Third is the ideological intrusion into good science and documented 
effective preventive practices. My colleagues, we cannot bury our heads 
in the sand and deny the effectiveness of condoms for the sexually 
active, and neither can you insist that abstinence-only programs be 
used when they ignore the reality of situations of the people who need 
to be protected and whose lives we need to save.
  So this resolution is important, and I want to join everyone in 
applauding the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for her leadership 
and her firm stance in not allowing the sense of the resolution to be 
diluted, and all on this side and the other side of the aisle who 
supported her. But it can only be a beginning; we have a lot more to 
do, and we will be calling on our colleagues to join us in doing what 
we must to win the war against this epidemic that has come to devastate 
so many communities of color, HIV and AIDS.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and that he may 
control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Kucinich).
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with my African American 
colleagues in asking and appealing to the American people to understand 
that HIV/AIDS is devastating to the African-American community. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that of all 
Americans living with HIV/AIDS, African Americans represent 42 percent 
of those cases. The same is true in my State of Ohio, but the rate for 
blacks in Cleveland is even higher, 56 percent.
  We have to attack the stigmatization of the disease among African 
Americans. We must start by focusing on prevention, which is consistent 
with CDC guidelines, emphasizing and identifying HIV positives, and we 
must push for a comprehensive prevention policy that includes condoms 
and does not ignore science at the expense of ideology.
  We must commit to increasing funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative 
to at least $610 million, while increasing overall budget for the Ryan 
White CARE Act to fully cover treatment and eliminate waiting lists for 
antiretroviral drugs. We must increase funding for the Ryan White CARE 
Act by $513 million.
  We have a moral imperative to fight AIDS. We have a moral imperative 
to join with the African-American community in doing so.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his 
commitment to this issue, and I thank as well the author, sponsor and 
leader on this issue in this Congress, the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Lee).
  Sometimes the Lees are walking on the same pathway, and I certainly 
appreciate the fact I have been able to walk with her on this avocation 
in recognizing the devastation of HIV/AIDS as relates to the African-
American community; and I thank the gentlewoman for allowing us to join 
her as original cosponsors on this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, let me indicate that although we have heard from 
speakers all over the country, it needs to be said over and over again, 
this is not an isolated question dealing with HIV/AIDS. It is an 
epidemic. It is nationwide. It is worldwide.
  HIV/AIDS cases reported for African-American women in particular have 
grown in numbers in the Houston area from 27 percent to 53 percent. 
National statistics show the same trend. Data from the Centers for 
Disease Control reported that African-American women diagnosed with 
AIDS increased 53 percent to 67 percent as a fraction of all women 
diagnosed with AIDS from 1985 to 2002. CDC data for 2002 indicate 
African-American women diagnosed with AIDS account for 50 cases per 
100,000 population, nearly five times greater than the next ethnic 
group most affected by AIDS.
  I cite those numbers not to ignore the plight of others impacted by 
HIV/AIDS, the Hispanic and Asian communities, African-American males, 
and certainly as was indicated on this floor, a lot of the transmission 
to African-American women comes from heterosexual sex. But we realize 
this impacts all populations, regardless of one's sexual orientation, 
and HIV/AIDS is a disease of America. It is important to emphasize this 
day, to salute those who continue to focus on the question of HIV/AIDS 
in our community. This resolution continues to tell cities to promote 
this.
  Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying that we ask for a national summit 
on this issue. I join my colleagues in ensuring that happens.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today to support H. Con. Res. 30 
highlighting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. African Americans--
particularly women--have been vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infections. 
The Centers for Disease Control reported that African Americans 
accounted for about half of all new HIV infections, although they 
represent just over 12 percent of the population.
  HIV/AIDS cases reported for African-American women in the Houston 
area from 27 percent to 53 percent. National statistics show the same 
trends. Data from the Center for Disease Control reported that African-
American women diagnosed with AIDS increased 53 percent to 67 percent 
as a fraction of all women diagnosed with AIDS from 1985 to 2002. CDC 
data from 2002 indicate for women diagnosed with AIDS, African-American

[[Page 1889]]

women account for 50 cases per 100,000 population--nearly five times 
greater than for the next ethnic group most affected by AIDS.
  CDC data for the year 2002 for men diagnosed with AIDS show that 
African Americans have the highest instance of reported cases with 
111.9 cases per 100,000 population. The Houston Department of Health 
and Human Services provided me with some local data for HIV and AIDS. 
While the overall number of AIDS and HIV cases reported have remained 
more or less constant--or even declined--from 1999 to 2003, there have 
been increases over that time period for African Americans.
  The newest HIV and AIDS therapies have proven effective in 
controlling the progression of the disease. However we all know about 
the high cost of these miracle drugs, which denies many African 
Americans their life saving benefit. A recent report from the U.S. 
Census Bureau indicates that around 20 percent of the Nation's African 
Americans are uninsured. That same report indicated that the poverty 
rate for African Americans was around 24 percent--higher than any other 
ethnic group identified in the study.
  One group that is helping address the availability of HIV and AIDS 
treatments for the poor is Dr. Joseph Gathe, one of Houston's best-
known AIDS doctors, and his colleagues. Dr. Gathe and his colleagues 
established the Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation in Houston in 
1996--a tax exempt clinic devoted to providing quality HIV and AID 
therapies to the underserved and uninsured in the Houston area. On this 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day we want to recognize and honor 
people like Dr. Gathe and his co-workers who have devoted their 
professional lives to treating underserved patients with HIV and AIDS. 
HIV and AIDS are communicable diseases and effective treatment of all 
infected patients is a national public health priority. I hope that you 
will all join me in the continued support for facilities like the 
Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation and physicians like Dr. Gathe.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that I really appreciate the 
work of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and all the other 
Members that worked on this, including the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Health, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the ranking member of 
the Subcommittee on Health, the chairman of the full committee and of 
course the ranking member of the full committee and all of the staff 
for all of the work they have done.
  This is an area that we really need to focus on. We need to work 
together on this issue to be able to see what we can do to bring it 
under control. It has been said over and over again that this is a 
disease that can be dealt with. The only thing we have to do is put 
some resources there and also work together. I think if we do that, we 
can bring this horrible disease under control.
  I want to thank all of those who worked so hard to make us focus on 
this because this is something that we cannot ignore. Some things you 
can ignore and they will go away. If we ignore this, it is going to get 
bigger and bigger and bigger. The time is now to put the resources 
behind it and deal with it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support 
for H. Con. Res. 30, supporting the goals and ideals of National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not over. According to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, African-Americans make up 12 percent of 
the U.S. population, and account for half of the new HIV cases reported 
in the United States. HIV/AIDS is devastating Black people in Africa 
and America, and we must act now to turn this epidemic of our time 
around.
  Overall, it is estimated that half of new HIV infections occur among 
teenagers and young adults aged 25 years and younger. Numerous studies 
suggest that African-American young people represent the majority of 
these infections. Something must be done, and we must all do our part.
  In the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS was primarily considered a gay white 
disease in the United States. Today, however, the HIV epidemic infects 
and affects African-Americans more than any other population. It's not 
who you are, but what you do that puts you at risk for HIV/AIDS.
  African Americans suffer the ``vast majority'' of deaths from AIDS-
related causes, according to a Health and Human Services report. More 
than half of the new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 32 states between 2000 and 
2003 were among African-Americans, although African-Americans 
represented only 13 percent of the populations of those States, 
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity 
and Mortality Weekly report.
  During the same period, 69 percent of women who tested HIV-positive 
were African-American, and the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among African-
American women is 18 times the rate among non-Hispanic white women. In 
addition, African-American men in 2003 had the highest rate of new HIV/
AIDS diagnoses than any other racial/ethnic group, about seven times 
the rate among white men and twice the rate among African-American 
women.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to reiterate my support for H. Con. Res. 30, 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Something must be done, and we 
must all do our part.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This is a day intended to raise awareness and 
visibility of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts among African Americans. I 
applaud the efforts of Representative Lee from California in bringing 
this important resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, this day is unfortunately very necessary. It deserves 
the attention of this Congress and our Nation because the face of HIV/
AIDS is changing. Since the onslaught of HIV in the early 80s, the face 
of HIV/AIDS has become increasingly more African-American and more 
female.
  In fact, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African Americans 
between the ages of 25-44.
  Also, while African Americans represent only 12 percent of the 
population, we account for 49 percent of all reported cases of AIDS 
reported among adults and adolescents and the AIDS diagnosis rate among 
African Americans was almost 11 times the rate among whites.
  For African-American women the figures are even more shocking as they 
account for 67 percent of all new HIV cases. Needless to say these 
figures are appalling and indicate we need to face this pandemic with 
all due urgency.
  I think there are many things that we can do to help alleviate the 
problem, but there are two pressing items that come to mind:
  First, each of us must be willing to have a difficult conversation 
with people we love about protecting themselves from AIDS. Having these 
difficult conversations can save lives.
  Second, we must work together to fight the virus where it is having 
its most deadly impact. Federal dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention, 
diagnosis, and treatment should follow the epidemic and reach those who 
are most affected. Needless to say, more Federal funding is needed to 
accomplish this goal.
  I applaud the President for mentioning this HIV/AIDS problem during 
his State of the Union Address.
  However, the meager increase in the Bush budget for the Ryan White 
AIDS program at $2.1 billion is a good start, but, sadly not enough. 
That is why full funding for the Minority Aids Initiative, spearheaded 
by Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus in 1998 is so 
important.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1998, I received some local criticism for speaking 
out about HIV/AIDS in Baltimore. To this day, I occasionally am told 
that highlighting the health crisis devastating Baltimore's African-
American community reinforces negative stereotypes about African-
Americans.
  Nationally, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
inform us that more than one-half of the adult American men infected 
during the last 20 years have been people of color.
  Remaining silent about a threat of such magnitude would be an 
unthinkable moral error.
  In the Congress, our public conversation about the adequacy of 
America's response to AIDS will continue as long as Federal policy 
fails to adequately protect our health.
  We already know, however, that public policy and Federal funds alone 
will not fully safeguard those we love.
  In every household, church and school, Americans must find the will 
to talk candidly with each other about protecting ourselves.
  No one else will value our lives more than we do.
  As a father, I know that talking with our children about their 
personal lives can be a difficult and uncomfortable duty--but we have 
no choice.
  Eight out of every ten American women and children infected by the 
HIV virus since 1981 have been people of color--and one of the most 
cruel aspects of this plague is its preference for the young.
  It has become the second leading killer of young black women--and the 
current trends offer no comfort.

[[Page 1890]]

  Of the 40,000 new HIV infections reported nationally during 1999-
2000, fully one-half involved young people under the age of 24.
  Three-quarters of those new victims have been young people who look 
like us.
  When we confront these appalling facts, each of us who is a parent or 
grandparent is faced with a difficult question.
  What do we say to our young people that will help them protect 
themselves from this plague?
  Dr. Ligia Peralta, Director of the Adolescent AIDS Clinic at the 
University of Maryland School of Medicine, suggests that our private 
conversations with our children empower them to take control of their 
own health.
  ``For young women, in particular'' she informs us, ``the greatest 
risk of contracting HIV/AIDS comes from an intimate relationship with 
someone she loves. Theoretically, she understands the risk of sexually-
transmitted infection. Personally, though, she may not connect that 
risk with her man.''
  ``If her young man is not an intravenous drug user,'' Dr. Peralta 
continues, ``a young woman in love may think that she is safe from HIV/
AIDS. She doesn't even think about the possibility that he may have 
been infected by another woman, or by another man.''
  Therein lies their danger. In our private conversations with our 
children about protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS, we should counsel 
abstinence. As a practical matter, however, it is wise to discuss all 
of their options, including condoms.
  With Federal help, local health departments now offer free, anonymous 
HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. Sexually active young people should 
take advantage of that service--and insist that their partners do so as 
well. Talking candidly with our children about intimate matters can be 
difficult.
  It is those private conversations, however, that will save the lives 
of those we love. Silence about HIV/AIDS feeds the destroyer of lives.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
measure, which supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day, which was February 7, 2005. This measure recognizes the 
fifth anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and 
encourages the President to emphasize the importance of addressing the 
HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African-American community, especially 
among African-American women.
  The statistics on HIV/AIDS in the African-American community are 
alarming. Over 172,000 African-Americans are living with AIDS and this 
population represents 42 percent of all cases in the United States. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimate that 69 
percent of all children born to HIV-infected mothers were African-
American. On a whole, African-Americans have the poorest survival rates 
of any racial or ethnic group diagnosed with AIDS, with 55 percent 
surviving after 9 years compared to 61 percent of Hispanics, 64 percent 
of whites, and 69 percent of Asian Pacific Islanders.
  Another goal of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to encourage 
State and local governments, including their public health agencies, to 
recognize this day and to publicize its importance among their 
communities as well as to encourage individuals to undergo testing for 
HIV.
  At this time, I am particularly pleased to recognize the city of 
Alexandria and Wholistic Family Agape Ministries Institute for hosting 
a city of Alexandria Unified Outreach Event in recognition of National 
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, African-
American females account for 76.5 percent of the female cases and 
African-American males account for 55.1 percent of the cases. On 
February 7, Mayor Bill Euille, on behalf of the Alexandria City 
Council, issued a proclamation urging all citizens to take part in 
activities and observances designed to increase awareness and 
understanding of HIV/AIDS as a global challenge, to take part in HIV/
AIDS prevention activities and programs, and to join the local and 
global effort to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.
  The Wholistic Family Agape Ministries Institute and the city of 
Alexandria should be commended for their efforts to provide information 
and support to the Alexandria community and help to lower the 
percentage of African-American individuals contracting HIV and AIDS.
  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today the House of 
Representatives will vote on House Concurrent Resolution 30 supporting 
the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which 
has been observed in February the past 5 years.
  Last year, I brought together a number of African-American community 
leaders in Lansing, MI, with an expert on HIV/AIDS issues in the Black 
community. That gathering brought to light the sad statistics on this 
disease among African Americans across the Nation and right in my own 
community.
  The more than 172,000 African Americans living with AIDS in the 
United States represents about 42 percent of cases in the Nation.
  Estimates put the Michigan HIV-infected population at more than 
16,000, with African-American men, at 44 percent, and African-American 
women, at 20 percent, outnumbering two-to-one all cases in white men--
25 percent--and women--5 percent--and those of other ethnicity. Ingham 
County in the Eighth Congressional District is among the 15 Michigan 
counties that account for 84 percent of all cases of HIV/AIDS in the 
State.
  Across the Nation, in 2003, African Americans accounted for half of 
all new HIV infections, even though they make up only slightly over 12 
percent of the Nation's entire population. The U.S. Centers for Disease 
Control tell us that African-American women account for 67 percent of 
all new AIDS cases among women, and AIDS is one of the top three 
leading causes of death among African-American women ages 35 through 
44.
  Among African-American men, AIDS also falls in the top three of 
causes of death among those ages 25 through 54.
  Today's vote highlights the need to support the goals and ideals of 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7 each year at the 
local, State, and national level of government and media. It also 
highlights the need to build awareness and education among African-
American communities as we work to reduce this dangerous disease among 
the families and communities across the Nation.
  As we acknowledge the awareness and education efforts signified by 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I am committed to working with 
our community and national groups as they focus on preventing this 
serious disease and reducing the impact it has on individual 
communities and states, and on our entire Nation.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 30, 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness 
Day. HIV/AIDS is having a devastating affect on the African American 
community. The statistics given by the Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) are staggering. The cold numbers reveal the stunning 
human cost of the disease.
  While African Americans make up less than 13 percent of the 
population in the United States, they represent almost 40 percent of 
the diagnosed cases of AIDS since the epidemic started. In 2003, 
African Americans accounted for almost 50 percent of the estimated 
cases diagnosed. African American women are currently the most at risk 
of contracting HIV/AIDS. The rate of AIDS cases among black women is 19 
times higher than white women and five times the infection rate of 
Latinas. The infection rate among black men, while lower, is no less 
troubling. In 2003, 44 percent of the AIDS cases diagnosed among men 
were African American males.
  These numbers are painful to listen to and to read. The painful 
realities of this world do not always make front-page news, but this 
issue must be addressed. We must join together in a bi-partisan, bi-
cameral effort to eradicate this epidemic.
  I am pleased to join with my esteemed colleague Ms. Lee in this 
effort and commend her distinguished and dedicated leadership on this 
issue. Mr. Speaker, thousands of African Americans are suffering from 
HIV/AIDS. On this day, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and 
Information Day, we must make a concerted effort to ensure that 
education, awareness and prevention are a priority in the 109th 
Congress.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 30, a resolution that recognizes and supports the goals and ideals 
of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  HIV/AIDS impacts the African-American community worse than any other 
ethnic group in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) report that African-Americans account for 50 percent 
of all new HIV infections, which is an incredible number considering 
only 12 percent of the American population is African-American. The CDC 
further reported that 69 percent of all children born to infected 
mothers were African-American. A study conducted by the Kaiser Family 
Foundation showed that African-Americans accounted for 56 percent of 
deaths due to HIV in 2002.
  Public awareness about HIV/AIDS is vital. National Black HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day will help educate the African-American community about 
the disease, including prevention and treatment. The first annual 
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was held on February

[[Page 1891]]

23, 2001. The slogan for the day was ``Get Educated, Get Involved and 
Get Tested.'' February 7 of each year is now recognized as National 
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
  I was proud to cosponsor this important resolution that encourages 
State and local governments, including their public health departments, 
to publicize the day in African-American Communities and to promote 
testing. The resolution encourages media organizations to carry 
messages in support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Most 
importantly, it encourages enactment of effective HIV prevention 
programs.
  HIV/AIDS is a formidable threat to our African-American communities. 
However, we can work together to ensure that the public is aware of the 
ways to prevent transmission of this disease and how individuals can 
protect themselves. But we can't do this without funding. The Minority 
AIDS Initiative needs to be fully funded. The Ryan White Comprehensive 
AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is authorized through FY2005, so 
this year we need to ensure that no programs are under funded or 
dropped altogether.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution will result in increased public 
awareness. As advocates work together to protect the African-American 
community, we in Congress need to ensure the Federal Government is 
doing our job to fund the programs that will halt the spread of HIV/
AIDS.
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Towns) for his handling of the resolution on the floor today. I 
urge adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 30, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________