109TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 30
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
109TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 30
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control (‘‘CDC’’) has stated
that, at the end of 2003, over 172,000 African Ameri-
cans 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 in-
•HCON 30 EH
fections, 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 in-
fected 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 hetero-
sexual 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 Ameri-
cans have the poorest survival rates of any racial or eth-
nic group diagnosed with AIDS, with 55 percent sur-
viving after 9 years compared to 61 percent of Hispanics,
64 percent of whites, and 69 percent of Asian Pacific Is-
landers;
Whereas, in 1998, the Congress and the Clinton Administra-
tion created the National Minority AIDS Initiative to
help coordinate funding, build capacity, and provide pre-
vention, care, and treatment services within the African
•HCON 30 EH
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 Capac-
ity Building Coalition (‘‘CCBC’’): Concerned Black Men,
Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Pro-
motion Services, Jackson State University—Mississippi
Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism &
Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Com-
mission 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 Test-
ed’’; and
Whereas February 7 of each year is now recognized as Na-
tional 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, in-
cluding their public health agencies, to recognize
•HCON 30 EH
such day, to publicize its importance among their
communities, and to encourage individuals to under-
go testing for HIV;
(3) encourages national, State, and local media
organizations to carry messages in support of Na-
tional 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 com-
munity, especially among African American women;
as well as international efforts to address the global
HIV/AIDS epidemic;
(5) encourages enactment of effective HIV pre-
vention programs, including ABC programs like
those implemented in Uganda, which recognizes ab-
stinence 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 dis-
ease control methods to ensure accurate data, better
•HCON 30 EH
targeting of resources, and improved delivery of
health services to those living with HIV.
Passed the House of Representatives February 9,
2005.
Attest:
Clerk.