IA

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 136

Designating the month of April 1993 as ‘‘National African American Health

Awareness Month’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 4, 1993

Mr. STOKES (for himself, Mr. WYNN, Mrs. MEEK, Miss COLLINS of Michigan,

Mr. SCOTT, Mr. TUCKER, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. RUSH, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr.

FRANKS of Connecticut, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MCKINNEY, Mr.

BISHOP, Mr. WATT, Mrs. CLAYTON, Ms. WATERS, Mr. CONYERS, Mr.

TOWNS, Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey, Mr. MFUME, Mr. FLAKE, Mr.

DIXON, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OWENS, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. FORD of Tennessee, Ms. E.B. JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. BLACKWELL, Mr. HILLIARD,

Mr. DELLUMS, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. CLAY, Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois, Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana, Mr. REYNOLDS, and Mr. WASHINGTON)

introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred jointly to the

Committees on Post Office and Civil Service and Energy and Commerce

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating the month of April 1993 as ‘‘National African

American Health Awareness Month’’.

Whereas the health status of racial and other minorities in

the United States lags behind that of nonminorities;

Whereas compared to nonminorities, minorities suffer more

than 60,000 ‘‘excess’’ deaths annually;
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Whereas African Americans are more likely to die from cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, chemical dependency, infant mortality, renal failure, violence, and AIDS,

than any other minority;

Whereas African Americans have a higher incidence of blindness due to glaucoma and diabetic eye disease and suffer

at a disproportionate rate from lung and bronchus cancer

caused by health risks such as smoking and radon;

Whereas efforts should be made to increase public awareness

that the crisis in minority health affects all Americans

because of billions of dollars associated with health care

expenditures and reduced productivity due to minority

health-related problems;

Whereas statistics have shown that minority health providers

are more likely to practice in underserved areas and there

is a decrease in the numbers of African Americans entering the health field;

Whereas the United States Department of Health and

Human Services has determined public awareness and

culturally sensitive, health education are essential to improve the health of African Americans; and

Whereas National Negro Health Week, established in 1915

by Booker T. Washington, in response to the health care

crisis by African Americans, became the precedent for a

nationwide commemorative observance under the direction of the United States Public Health Service from

1932 through 1950 during the first week of April: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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1 SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

2 The month of April 1993 is designated as ‘‘National

3 African American Health Awareness Month’’, and the

4 President is authorized and requested to issue a proclama5 tion—

6 (1) encouraging all health organizations to host

7 activities to promote healthfulness in African Amer8 ican communities, and

9 (2) calling upon the people of the United States

10 to observe this month with appropriate programs

11 and activities.

12 SEC. 2. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.

13 In conjunction with ‘‘National African American

14 Health Awareness Month’’, the Secretary of Health and

15 Human Services shall, in cooperation with African Amer16 ican health, civic, religious and social organizations—

17 (1) make information available to the public—

18 (A) on the health problems currently fac19 ing minority populations, especially African

20 Americans, and

21 (B) on the careers and contributions of mi22 nority health professionals, particularly African

23 American health professionals, and

24 (2) present public service announcements on

25 health promotion and disease prevention among Af26 rican Americans.
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