[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             WORLD AIDS DAY

  (Ms. CASTOR of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on World AIDS Day to 
highlight the remarkable progress that has been made over the past 30 
years in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
  I commend local leaders from my Tampa Bay area district like the 
Reverend Dr. James Favorite, who understands the importance of speaking 
to his congregation about HIV and AIDS. Reverend Favorite has urged 
more than 100 local churches and pastors across the Tampa Bay area to 
put AIDS and HIV awareness at the heart of their sermons. Reverend 
Favorite's impact has garnered national acclaim from the National Black 
Leadership Commission on AIDS.
  I also commend the Test Tampa Bay campaign, which is an initiative 
designed to intensify HIV education, awareness, and prevention brought 
along by local health departments and other health advocates. Test 
Tampa Bay aims to increase the number of Tampa Bay residents who know 
their HIV status by encouraging HIV testing.
  Finally, I would like to voice my strong support for H.R. 6138, 
Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Act, by Representative Barbara Lee and 
others, of which I'm a proud sponsor. We must remain committed to 
ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and improving the lives of those infected 
with the disease.
  We are at a tipping point in the fight against AIDS, so let's 
recommit to ensure that America continues to lead the way to achieve an 
AIDS-free generation.

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