[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3086]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORT NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the 
Honorable Barbara Lee for introducing the National Black HIV/AIDS 
Awareness Day resolution. I also thank the 396 Members who voted in 
support of this resolution in a true spirit of bipartisanship.
  And I ask the question, why is it important to support National Black 
HIV/AIDS Awareness? Why? Because as of 2005, 188,000 African Americans 
were living with AIDS. Why? Because African Americans are 12 percent of 
the population and over 50 percent of the new cases diagnosed. Why is 
it important? Because for African Americans, HIV/AIDS is a leading 
cause of death. Why is it important, Madam Speaker? Because AIDS is the 
number one cause of death for African American women 25 to 34.
  However, Madam Speaker, notwithstanding the impending crisis, I am 
hopeful. I am hopeful that we will allocate more funds, more funds for 
medication, because this disease can be treated. More funds for 
counseling because this disease can be prevented. More funds for 
research because this disease can be cured. And, Madam Speaker, I 
believe that we must end AIDS because it has the potential to be our 
end.

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