[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 30 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 30
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 14, 2005
Received
February 17, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness
Day.
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control (``CDC'') has stated that, at the end of
2003, over 172,000 African Americans were living 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.
Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2005.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.