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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 439 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 439

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Asian American and Pacific 
                    Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 14, 2009

      Ms. Bordallo (for herself, Mr. Honda, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. 
Abercrombie, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Wu, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Al Green 
 of Texas, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cao, and Mr. Sablan) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                              and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Asian American and Pacific 
                    Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders constitute diverse communities 
        that include over 50 different ethnic subgroups that speak over 100 
        languages and dialects;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 
        8,232 AIDS cases have been diagnosed among Asian Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders;
Whereas the CDC has reported in its 02/10/06 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly 
        Report that the estimated annual percentage changes in HIV/AIDS 
        diagnosis rates were higher for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in 
        the United States than for any other racial/ethnic minority group with 
        rates for men being 8.1 and for women 14.3;
Whereas significant barriers remain for accessing culturally and linguistically 
        competent services, especially HIV testing;
Whereas with increasing rates of infection, Asian Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders continue to have the lowest rates of accessing HIV testing 
        (32.6 percent);
Whereas the CDC estimates that almost 30 percent of Asian Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders living with HIV/AIDS are unaware that they are infected with 
        HIV;
Whereas HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination continues to be a growing problem in 
        all communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander 
        community;
Whereas HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination increases risk-taking behavior and 
        prevents people from accessing the HIV/AIDS services and support they 
        need;
Whereas the development of the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998 to coordinate 
        funding, capacity building and prevention, care, and treatment services 
        within African-American, Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and 
        Native American communities has assisted with the development of 
        leadership in minority community-based organizations, provided 
        culturally and linguistically competent HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and 
        treatment services, developed community capacity and infrastructure, 
        promoted technical assistance and resources, and raised awareness among 
        Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; and
Whereas, on May 19, 2009, community members from all racial/ethnic groups will 
        come together in recognition of the fifth annual National Asian American 
        and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the observance of National Asian American and 
        Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in order to honor the 
        memory of the 3,400 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with 
        AIDS in the United States who have died, as well as the 3,160 
        Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are still living with 
        HIV/AIDS;
            (2) recognizes the importance of culturally and 
        linguistically competent services as a core element in reducing 
        HIV/AIDS rates in Asian American and Pacific Islander 
        communities;
            (3) recognizes the importance of addressing the gaps in 
        research and data in order to fully understand the HIV/AIDS 
        epidemic in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; 
        and
            (4) recognizes the people across the United States infected 
        and affected by HIV/AIDS who are commemorating this day with 
        community-wide activities and who work to reduce the impact of 
        HIV/AIDS on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities 
        across the United States and the United States affiliated 
        Pacific Island jurisdictions.
                                 <all>
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