[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF NATIONAL LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the fourth annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day which will be 
October 15.
  This day is a call to action to all Latinos to protect their lives 
and the lives of those they love by getting tested and learning about 
HIV.
  Latinos continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, comprising 
over 20 percent of HIV/AIDS cases nationwide.
  We all must work together to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in our 
families, communities, cities, states, nation, and around the world.
  To do this we must not let differences in language and culture be 
barriers to providing access to preventative measures, healthcare and 
support services.
  In my district, the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County is a 
critical resource that works to prevent the spread of HIV and improve 
the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
  They offer invaluable services to our community by providing food, 
transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, kids and 
family programs, counseling, education and prevention services.
  In honor of National Latino AIDS Day all of us need to renew our 
commitment to the fight to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS.

                          ____________________