[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 169 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 169
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 14, 2007
Ms. Lee (for herself and Ms. Waters) 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, and for
other purposes.
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 increase from the estimated 850,000 to 950,000 people at
the end of 2002;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at the end
of 2005, African Americans represented 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 2005, men accounted for nearly 74 percent of all
individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and women represented over 26 percent;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that through
2005 over 555,000 have died of AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic;
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 contact and injection drug use;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that
approximately 40,000 people become infected with HIV each year;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 25
percent of all HIV-positive individuals are unaware of their status;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that when
infected persons knew their status, they were more likely to practice
HIV risk-reduction behaviors;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2005, 40
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 reports that early
knowledge of status is important for linking 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 Americans and Latinos, wanted more information
about HIV testing;
Whereas anxieties, misconceptions, and stigma have been traditionally 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 waiting period contributes to the
anxiety surrounding HIV 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 Administration have made
HIV testing easier, more accessible, 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 Disease 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 advocates 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 Association of People with AIDS to encourage
at-risk individuals to seek out and receive voluntary HIV counseling and
testing;
Whereas the theme of National HIV Testing Day 2007 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 Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention annually supports the National HIV Prevention
Conference and National HIV Testing Day; and
Whereas June 27 of each year is now recognized as National HIV Testing 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, including their
public health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize its
importance among their communities, and to encourage
individuals to undergo counseling and testing for HIV;
(3) encourages the use of rapid test kits approved 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 National HIV
Testing Day; and
(5) encourages the President to emphasize the importance of
addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all Americans, but
especially among minority groups.
<all>