[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT AIDS

  (Ms. BONAMICI asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BONAMICI. This is an important week for the United States as we 
host the International AIDS Conference for the first time in 22 years.
  Decades ago, our country made the shameful decision that no one who 
is HIV positive could enter our borders. With the President's lifting 
of that ban and a greater attention to the AIDS crisis, along with the 
advent of drugs that help those with HIV live longer, we are 
approaching what we should have always been--a global leader in the 
fight against AIDS.
  Countless Oregonians have been affected by AIDS. I've personally lost 
friends to AIDS, and as of June 30, more than 5,600 people in Oregon 
were living with HIV. It's time to eliminate the stigma associated with 
HIV/AIDS and to focus on prevention, treatment, and care.
  The participants of the conference this week show immense dedication 
to the fight against HIV and AIDS, both in the U.S. and abroad. 
Congress should have the same dedication. Funding for prevention and 
treatment programs is crucial, as is funding for medical research and 
drug development.
  We've come a long way, but there is still a lot of work to do. I urge 
my colleagues to join me. Speak out. Help to end the stigma. Let's work 
together to fight AIDS.

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