IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 193 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 27, 2005 
Ms. LEE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing 
Day. 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
stated that, at the end of 2003, between 1,039,000 and 
1,185,000 people nationwide were HIV positive, an in-
crease from the estimated 850,000 to 950,000 people at 
the end of 2002; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention esti-
mates that at the end of 2003, African Americans rep-
resented 47 percent of all individuals living with HIV/ 
AIDS, Whites represented 34 percent, and Hispanics 
represented 17 percent; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
further stated that at the end of 2003, men accounted
•HCON 193 IH 
for 74 percent of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS, 
and women represented 26 percent; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
determined that the leading cause of HIV infection is 
men having sex with men, followed by heterosexual con-
tact and injection drug use; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention esti-
mates that, in 2003, about 25 percent of all HIV-positive 
individuals were unaware of their status; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention re-
ports that when infected persons knew their status, they 
were more likely to practice HIV risk-reduction behav-
iors; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention re-
ports that in 2002, 38 percent of those diagnosed as HIV 
positive were later diagnosed with AIDS within one year 
of their HIV test; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention re-
ports that early knowledge of status is important for link-
ing those who are HIV positive with medical care and 
services that can reduce mortality and prevent the onset 
of AIDS; 
Whereas a 2004 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation 
found that many Americans, particularly African Ameri-
cans and Latinos, wanted more information about HIV 
testing; 
Whereas anxieties, misconceptions, and stigma have been tra-
ditionally associated with HIV/AIDS and HIV testing; 
Whereas the most commonly used HIV tests currently require 
a two-week waiting period for a diagnosis, and such wait-
ing period contributes to the anxiety surrounding HIV
•HCON 193 IH 
testing that discourages individuals from receiving their 
diagnosis, leading the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention to conclude that in 2000 among those who 
tested positive at sites funded by the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 31 percent did not return for 
their test results; 
Whereas rapid test kits approved by the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration have made HIV testing easier, more acces-
sible, and less invasive, while delivering results within a 
single day; 
Whereas counseling is an essential part of HIV testing, and 
when conducted according to established Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention guidelines, has been shown 
to be effective at producing individual behavior change; 
Whereas the National Association of People with AIDS, 
founded in 1983, is the oldest coalition of people living 
with HIV/AIDS in the world, and the Association advo-
cates on behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS; 
Whereas National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign 
introduced in 1995 and produced by the National Asso-
ciation of People with AIDS to encourage at-risk individ-
uals to seek out and receive voluntary HIV counseling 
and testing; 
Whereas the theme of National HIV Testing Day 2005 is 
‘‘Take the test, take control’’; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 
‘‘Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative’’ emphasizes the 
importance of HIV testing; 
Whereas as part of its overall public health mission, the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Prevention annually sup-
•HCON 193 IH 
ports the National HIV Prevention Conference and Na-
tional HIV Testing Day; and 
Whereas June 27 of each year is now recognized as National 
HIV Testing Day, and this year marks the eleventh year 
of observing such 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 
HIV/AIDS Testing Day; 
(2) encourages State and local governments, in-
cluding their public health agencies, to recognize 
such day, to publicize its importance among their 
communities, and to encourage individuals to under-
go counseling and testing for HIV; 
(3) encourages the use of rapid test kits ap-
proved by the Food and Drug Administration as a 
fast and efficient method of HIV testing; 
(4) encourages national, State, and local media 
organizations to carry messages in support of Na-
tional HIV Testing Day; 
(5) encourages the President to emphasize the 
importance of addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic 
among all Americans, but especially among minority 
groups; and 
(6) recognizes the need for the prompt reau-
thorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, and the
•HCON 193 IH 
need to authorize and provide all necessary funding 
to prevent the spread of HIV and provide care and 
treatment to those who are already infected and liv-
ing with HIV/AIDS. 
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