[Pages H430-H437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 30) supporting the
goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 30

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control (``CDC'') has
stated that, at the end of 2003, over 172,000 African
Americans 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 infections,
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 infected 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 heterosexual
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
Americans have the poorest survival rates of any racial or
ethnic group

[[Page H431]]

diagnosed with AIDS, with 55 percent surviving after 9 years
compared to 61 percent of Hispanics, 64 percent of whites,
and 69 percent of Asian Pacific Islanders;
Whereas, in 1998, the Congress and the Clinton
Administration created the National Minority AIDS Initiative
to help coordinate funding, build capacity, and provide
prevention, care, and treatment services within the African
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 Capacity
Building Coalition (``CCBC''): Concerned Black Men, Inc. of
Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion
Services, Jackson State University--Mississippi Urban
Research Center; National Black Alcoholism & Addictions
Council; and National Black Leadership Commission 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 Tested''; and
Whereas February 7 of each year is now recognized as
National 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, including their
public health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize
its importance among their communities, and to encourage
individuals to undergo testing for HIV;
(3) encourages national, State, and local media
organizations to carry messages in support of National 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
community, especially among African American women; as well
as international efforts to address the global HIV/AIDS
epidemic;
(5) encourages enactment of effective HIV prevention
programs, including ABC programs like those implemented in
Uganda, which recognizes abstinence 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 disease control methods
to ensure accurate data, better targeting of resources, and
improved delivery of health services to those living with
HIV.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

General Leave

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House will consider H. Con. Res.
30. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States has changed dramatically
over the past 2 decades. In 1981 when patients were first diagnosed
with AIDS, they typically only survived a few months. Today, new
treatments prolong life for HIV/AIDS patients and can even prevent
transmission of the virus from mother to child. Research and
development activities at the National Institutes of Health, in
addition to significant investments in the private sector, have
transformed how we treat this disease.
As the newly appointed chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, I look
forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle to continue
the progress we have made in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. That
includes examining programs to ensure that we are adequately responding
to this epidemic, especially in communities disproportionately affected
by the disease. Too many Americans are still infected with this deadly
disease, when we know there are proven ways to prevent its
transmission.
One project that I intend to work on will be the reauthorization of
the Ryan White CARE Act programs. Congress invests approximately $2
billion in Ryan White CARE Act programs. Before reauthorizing these
programs, we will evaluate how program dollars are allocated so that
taxpayer resources are indeed providing critical treatment services to
those areas with the greatest needs. Legislation we advance will
incorporate changes to strengthen these programs so that better results
are achieved.
As we recognize and encourage others to participate in the activities
this week to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, I would also like to draw
special attention to President Bush for his efforts to address the HIV/
AIDS epidemic, both in the United States and around the world.
President Bush has proven time and again his commitment to improving
the lives of those impacted by HIV/AIDS and deserves our support for
these endeavors.
I encourage my colleagues to adopt this resolution
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might
consume. I want to thank my colleague, of course, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee), who has really distinguished herself in this body
as a real leader for introducing this bill. This bill has the
bipartisan support of 52 cosponsors and deserves the support of all the
Members of the House.
Mr. Speaker, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was held on
February 7 in cities and towns all over this country, including
Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami and New Orleans, New York of course, Philadelphia,
Washington, D.C., and many, many, more. This annual observance was
created to encourage African Americans across the United States to get
educated, get tested, and get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Now, some people may wonder, why is it necessary to have a day to
reach out to the African American? And let me indicate to those that
raise that question that I wish it was not necessary to have this kind
of targeted outreach effort. But, unfortunately, it is not only
necessary; it is vital to us that we do this. It is just so important.
It is of vital importance because every day in this country 72
African Americans are infected with HIV. According to the Centers For
Disease Control, African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of
the population of the United States, but they represent 40 percent of
the total AIDS cases reported in this country. In 2003, CDC revealed
that more African Americans were reported to have AIDS than any other
racial or ethnic group. In my own congressional district, the largely
African American neighborhoods of Ft. Greene and East New York continue
to experience the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in New York City.
In the United States, nearly 406,000 people were living with AIDS at
the end of 2003, and African Americans accounted for half of these AIDS
cases. Among women, rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis in African American
women are 19 times higher than those of white women and five times
higher than those of Hispanic women. Sadly, African Americans also
suffer the vast majority of deaths caused by AIDS, accounting for more
than half of all U.S. AIDS-related deaths in 2003.
While these statistics are tragic, we must never shrug our shoulders
and say nothing can be done.
We must remember HIV/AIDS is totally preventable. So in the face of
this immense human tragedy, we cannot give up. We must embrace the
opportunity to encourage people to get educated, get tested, and get
involved in the fight against AIDS. We must never forget that apathy
and silence lead to ignorance, and ignorance leads to death. Members of
this Congress must stand together to break the silence and reject the
ignorance which is leading to the death of ordinary people in countless
communities all over this land.
Mr. Speaker, we must not only use the well of the House as a forum;
we must, as I said, we must use our budget process to provide the
necessary funding for this as well. That is why I hope that this body
will move expeditiously on the reauthorization of the Ryan

[[Page H432]]

White CARE Act. Down through the years, this act has provided the
primary source for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. We need to ensure
that these funds will continue to be available to meet the needs of
those who are affected by this disease.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to
remember, more funding will save many more lives and stop the spread of
AIDS.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), my colleague.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for bringing
this legislation before us today, and let me just say that I agree with
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), that we need to be sure that
people are educated, tested, and treated because, certainly, no other
area of AIDS treatment has seen the success of preventing the
transmission of AIDS from a mother to a newborn if that mother is
tested, identified, and treated during her pregnancy.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for his leadership
and his assistance and his commitment to addressing this pandemic and
also for yielding me the time.
Also, let me just thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal). I
would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Barton) and the
gentleman from Michigan (Ranking Member Dingell) of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce and also their staffs for helping us bring this
bill to the floor today.
I want to especially thank our leadership staff and Christos Tsentas
of my office, who worked day and night to make sure that the resolution
became a bipartisan resolution.
Mr. Speaker, 2 days ago, on February 7, we commemorated the fifth
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day when we urged African
Americans and all Americans to get educated, to get involved, and get
tested. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created in 2001 by a
coalition of five national nonprofit organizations to raise awareness
about the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African American
community.
The numbers are startling, Mr. Speaker. Over 42 percent of all people
living with HIV and AIDS are African American, even though, as my
colleague from New York pointed out, we only represent about 13 percent
of the population. That is about 172,000 people.
Each year, African Americans make up over half of all new HIV/AIDS
cases diagnosed in the United States. In 2003, 67 percent of all women
diagnosed with AIDS were African American and 69 percent of all
pediatric AIDS cases were born to African American mothers.
Behind each statistic, of course, is a real human being with family
and friends who care about them. So we are here today for all of them,
but we are also here to raise awareness among decision-makers in
Congress and in the administration.
Many of my colleagues and I quite frankly were outraged last year
during the Vice Presidential debates when Gwen Ifill asked both
candidates to comment on the fact that black women between the ages of
25 and 44 are 13 times more likely to die of AIDS than their
counterparts and both candidates were really quite frankly unaware of
this.
So, Mr. Speaker, today I want to say it loud and clear so there is no
misunderstanding. AIDS is a public health emergency for African
Americans. The Congressional Black Caucus was out front of this
epidemic 6 years ago when we worked with the Clinton administration to
create the Minority AIDS Initiative, and I want to recognize and thank
our colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), for her
passionate and dedicated work as chairman of the CBC then in putting
together the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998.

{time} 1130

She convened a national meeting here in Washington, D.C., and sounded
the clarion call for all of us. Out of that effort, we declared in my
district 6 years ago, as it relates to African Americans, a state of
emergency.
Nationally, African American women are increasingly becoming more
infected. Let us be for real. There has been a lot of discussion about
many facts and a lot of individuals and communities really heap a lot
of blame on men who are considered on the ``down low.'' Now, this is
defined as men who lead secret double lives having sex with other men
on the side. Some people feel that the down low is contributing to
these statistics. But the truth is, we just do not know.
We have to be honest with each other. This is not new. But we must
break the silence, for if we do not, the disease will continue to
spread. We must respect each other's individual personal views, but
this is a public health issue that requires a frank and open discussion
about sex and sexuality. We insist that leaders in Africa speak up
frankly to discuss the pandemic on the continent. We applaud President
Museveni. We must demand our leadership on all levels break the
silence. It is about life and death, not about personal views of
morality.
The HIV/AIDS rate in our prisons is 10 times higher than in the
general public. Ten times. And most of those incarcerated are African
Americans and Latinos. What happens when over 70 percent of them return
to their communities next year? Talk about a public health disaster.
This is going to be catastrophic. Pediatric AIDS cases will continue to
soar. We cannot ignore the reality of this situation any more.
Mr. Speaker, we need a comprehensive solution. Now, I commend
President Bush for mentioning this in his State of the Union speech,
but it is not enough for the President to talk about AIDS in the State
of the Union. We have to follow through, and he has to follow through
with the funding to combat it. The budget which the President submitted
included a $10 million increase for the Ryan White CARE Act next year,
but this will not really cut it. We need a realistic level of funding
that meets the need and provides at least $513 million more, a
realistic level of funding.
Let me just say in conclusion that we need a comprehensive approach
that embraces abstinence, A; being faithful, B; and if you do not do
either, use a condom. That is ABC. We have to stop the misguided
ideological attack on prevention methods that work and that have been
proven to work. An abstinence-only approach will not work. Again, it is
abstain, it is be faithful, and if you do not do either, you use a
condom.
This is not an ideological issue. We all have constituents affected
by this disease. So let us come together and support a comprehensive
response. Again, this is about life and death. We cannot keep our heads
in the sand.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Barton and Ranking Member
Dingell of the Energy and Commerce Committee and their staffs for
helping me bring this bill to the floor today. And I also want to thank
the leadership staff for their help.
Mr. Speaker, two days ago, on February 7th, we commemorated the 5th
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day--a day when we urged African
Americans and all Americans to ``Get Educated, Get Involved, and Get
Tested''. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was created in 2001 by
a coalition of five national non-profit organizations to raise
awareness about the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African-
American community.
The numbers are startling, Mr. Speaker. Over 42 percent of all people
living with HIV/AIDS are African American, even though we only
represent only about 13 percent of the population. That's about 172,000
people. Each year, African Americans make up over half of all new HIV/
AIDS cases diagnoses in the U.S. In 2003, 67 percent of all women
diagnosed with AIDS were African American. And 69 percent of all
pediatric AIDS cases were born to African American mothers.
Behind each statistic is a real human being, with family and friends
who care about them. So we are here today for all of them. But we are
also here to raise awareness among decision-makers in Congress and the
Administration.
Many of my colleagues and I were outraged last year during the Vice
Presidential debates when Gwen Ifill asked both candidates to comment
on the fact that black women between the ages of 25 and 44 are 13 times
more likely to die of AIDS than their counterparts and both were
unaware of this. So, Mr. Speaker, today I want say it loud and clear so
there is no misunderstanding.

[[Page H433]]

AIDS is a public health emergency for African Americans.
The Congressional Black Caucus was out in front of this epidemic six
years ago, when we worked with the Clinton Administration to create the
Minority AIDS Initiative. And I want to recognize and thank my
colleague, Rep. Maxine Waters, for her passionate and dedicated work as
Chair of the CBC in putting together the Minority AIDS Initiative in
1998. She convened a national meeting here in Washington, DC and
sounded the clarion call for all of us. Out of that effort, we declared
a State of Emergency in my district six years ago, as it relates to the
African American community, because in Alameda County, our statistics
are nearly identical to the national averages.

Nationally, African American women are becoming increasingly
infected. Most of these women get infected through heterosexual
contact, while most African American men get HIV from sex with other
men. That is a fact. So let's be for real.
There's been a lot of discussion about these facts, and a lot of
blame heaped on men who are on the ``down low'', defined as men who
lead secret double lives having sex with other men on the side. Some
people feel that the down low is contributing to these statistics, but
the truth is we just don't know. But let's be honest with each other.
This is not new. But we must break the silence, for if we don't, this
disease will continue to spread.
We must respect each other's personal views, but this is a public
health issue that requires a frank and open discussion about sex and
sexuality. We insist that leaders in Africa speak up frankly to address
the pandemic on the continent--we must demand that our leadership on
all fronts begin to break this silence. It is about life and death, not
personal views of morality. Look at our prison system.
The HIV rate in our prisons is ten times higher than in the general
public. Most of those incarcerated are African Americans and Latinos.
What happens when over 70 percent of them return to their communities
next year? Talk about a public health disaster--this will be
catastrophic. Pediatric AIDS cases will continue to soar. We can't
afford to ignore the realities of this situation any longer.
Mr. Speaker, we need a comprehensive solution. I commend President
Bush for mentioning this in his State of the Union Speech. It's not
enough for the President to talk about AIDS in the State of the Union
Address, however--he's got to follow through with funding to combat it.
The Budget which the President submitted includes a $10 million
increase for the Ryan White CARE Act next year. That won't cut it. We
need a realistic level of funding that meets the need, and provides at
least $513 million more for Ryan White, for a total of $2.6 billion.
And we need to rapidly increase funding for the Minority AIDS
Initiative, to at least $610 million this year. We cannot accept
another year of flat funding from this Administration.
And as far as prevention is concerned, we need a comprehensive
approach that embraces the ABCs, Abstain, Be Faithful, use a Condom if
you don't do either. We've got to stop this misguided, ideological
attack on prevention methods that work, and that have been proven to
work.
An Abstinence-only approach will not work by itself. Again Abstain,
Be Faithful--if you don't do either, use a Condom. We all have
constituents that are affected by this disease. Let's come together to
support a comprehensive response. Again, this is about life or death.
We cannot keep our heads in the sand.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).
Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Georgia for yielding me this time and providing me the opportunity to
speak on this important issue. I want to commend the gentlewoman from
California for her leadership in this arena.
As I have spoken about many times on the floor of the House, prior to
being elected to the Congress, I used to take care of AIDS patients;
and I and my colleagues in the field began to see in the 1980s the very
disturbing trend lines in the black community; and indeed now, today,
those trend lines continue going up and up and up, and we have a very
significant crisis.
The President asked me several years ago to assist him in getting his
African AIDS initiative through the House and getting it enacted into
law, and I was very pleased to be able to help in that arena. I had the
opportunity to go to Africa twice in 2003 to actually look at what was
going on in Africa, what was working and what was not working.
Since that time, I have met with many of the black ministers in my
congressional district. Florida has had a problem with AIDS literally
from the getgo. We were one of the States with the higher prevalence
rates. Close to 95,000 people in Florida currently live with HIV or
AIDS, which is about 10 or 11 percent of the national total. The Miami-
Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward County areas tend to be the most
adversely affected areas. African Americans, Haitians, and other people
from the Caribbean islands make up a disproportionately high number. It
is roughly half of all HIV/AIDS cases, but they are only 14 percent of
the population.
What is particularly disturbing, and I think the gentlewoman from
California touched on this, is that black women are becoming
disproportionately involved. Seventy-two percent of both HIV and AIDS
cases in Florida's black community involve women. So this is a
disproportionately large number of black Americans and a
disproportionately large number of women.
It is estimated that one in 47 black Floridians have HIV/AIDS
compared to one in 176 Hispanics and one in 346 whites. CDC reports
that HIV/AIDS transmission among African American men is mostly due to
men having sex with men, but among African American women it is through
heterosexual contact.
Now, I can get into a lot of the medical details here, but it is
really not the appropriate environment, so I will just throw out that
from an epidemiologic perspective, part of the problem in the black
community is similar to what was the problem in the gay community in
the 1980s, and it is actually a phenomenon called ``concurrence.''
Until we can get at that issue appropriately, we are not going to
really defeat this challenge.
I was very glad that the gentlewoman mentioned ABC. There is too much
of an emphasis on the C and not enough on the A and the B, and I
encourage all of my colleagues to look at what happened in Uganda in
the 1980s, the late 1980s and the early 1990s. They lowered their AIDS
rate from 17 percent, 16 percent, down to about 5 or 6 percent with no
condoms being shipped in from Europe and other places. No help from the
United States, Europe, or NATO. The Ugandans did it on their own. And
what was it? It was A, B, C, with an emphasis on abstinence.
The statistics from this we should never discount. People are smarter
than a lot of the experts give them credit for. You give them the
facts, they can change their behavior. Faithfulness in marriage and
abstinence education had a profound impact in Uganda. We need to stress
that throughout the African continent; and most importantly, our
pastors in the black communities need to start getting that out to
their congregations and public health officials.
I believe we can turn this challenge around. I commend the
gentlewoman and the Black Caucus leadership on this issue. It is really
a problem, and I think if we do more, we can get a lot of good things
done.
I used to take care of these patients. It is very, very tragic; and I
believe that the costs associated with this are going to be huge in the
years ahead. So if you are not motivated by compassion, look at the
dollars. We should all be motivated, white, black, Democrat,
Republican, to get engaged on this and do something.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have left?
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). The gentleman from New York has
9\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Rush).
(Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to thank my friend, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), for yielding me this time; and I
want to commend him for his many, many years of outstanding leadership
not only on the issue of HIV/AIDS but on other issues that face the
American people.
I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Lee), a person I have known for many years; and I commend her for her
leadership not only on this issue but on many issues facing the
American people. I want to thank her for introducing this fine piece of
legislation, this resolution supporting the goals of the National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

[[Page H434]]

Mr. Speaker, if you take a look at the AIDS crisis today, you will
find some startling, disturbing, and, quite frankly, unacceptable
statistics. Even though African Americans only make up 12.3 percent of
the population, they account for 3 percent of all AIDS cases since the
epidemic began. Black women have been hit the hardest, absolutely the
hardest, with 72 percent of all AIDS cases for women being African
American. The worst statistic of all, however, is that black Americans
have the worst survival rate among all racial and ethnic groups, with
only a 55 percent survival rate after 9 years, compared with 64 percent
survival rates for whites.
Mr. Speaker, these statistics illustrate in the starkest terms that
racial disparities continue to exist when it comes to HIV/AIDS. This is
a crisis within my community and it needs to be addressed, and it needs
to be addressed with urgency, and it needs to be addressed with speed.
Black Americans continue to suffer from unequal access to quality
health care. Moreover, it is vitally important that black Americans
undergo testing for HIV in order to detect the virus early and to
prevent its spread within the community.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is celebrating its fifth
anniversary, and I think it is a good public relations campaign to
encourage exactly this type of early testing and intervention. The
gentlewoman from California needs to be thanked again and again and
again for introducing this resolution. I admire her courage and her
commitment and her compassion.
But, Mr. Speaker, we need more than just talk and good will; we need
action. We need ABC, abstinence, faithfulness, and condoms. Mr.
Speaker, I hope that this Congress will address this issue with
resources and conviction.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard statistic after statistic. We have heard
number after number. It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an
emergency situation in the African American community. It is a real
problem across the country in all communities. The question that comes
is: What do we really do about it?
I commend the President for mentioning in his State of the Union
address an additional focus on the issue. I agree with my friend from
Florida who suggests that we need abstinence and education information,
but we really need a comprehensive approach to the problem. We must
have enough resources for treatment, we must focus on prevention, and
we must focus on changing and altering lifestyles.
Mr. Speaker, America has within it the resources to really deal with
this issue; we just need the will. I commend the gentlewoman from
California for her leadership and all of those who have pledged to do
what they can. I also commend all of those individuals in my community.
I have been publicly tested three times to help convince individuals to
be tested, to do the things that are necessary. Churches are getting
more involved, as they should. We must continue.
Mr. Speaker, according to the 2000 Census, African Americans make up
12.3 percent of the Nation's population but account for 40 percent of
the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began. Through
science, research, and medical advancements, there are better
treatments, prevention efforts, and a decline in AIDS diagnoses and
deaths, except for African Americans. Between 1999 and 2003, AIDS
diagnoses among African-Americans increased by 7 percent, compared to a
3 percent decline among White Americans. Deaths among African Americans
remained fairly stable but declined by 18 percent among White Americans
over this period. In 2003, 59 children younger than 13 years of age in
our country had a new AIDS diagnosis, 40 of the 59 were African-
American. Of the 90 infants reported as having HIV/AIDS in 2003, 62 of
the 90 were African-American.
It is important Congress takes time to focus and support January 7th
as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, especially since the
startling statistics continue. In 2002-2003, the HIV/AIDS rates for
African-American females were 19 times the rates for White females and
5 times the rate for Hispanic females. Although African-American teens
ages 13-19 represent only 15 percent of the teenagers in our Nation,
they accounted for 65 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in
2002.
In Illinois and Chicago, we also continue to lose our African-
American mothers, sisters and young people--the future generation--
incredibly more than any other group in American to AIDS. Approximately
66 percent of Illinois women living with HIV are African-American,
while African Americans only make up 15 percent of the Illinois female
population. In Chicago, African-American women are 12 times that of
White women and 4 times that of Hispanic women to have AIDS. In
Illinois, African-Americans accounted for 58 percent of reported AIDS
cases among teens ages 13 to 19.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today rattling off statistic after
statistic because HIV/AIDS is plaguing and destroying African-American
communities. Yet, I wonder how many of my colleagues or how many
Americans, including African-Americans, know how devastating and
destructive this disease is on one population in our country. It leads
to the questions, why is more not being done? Why has this not been
considered a national public health emergency? With more African-
American males in prison, more African-American females living and
dying with HIV/AIDS, what is to happen to the African-American children
and families?
We all must get behind the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
slogan ``Get Educated, Get Involved, Get Tested''. I am proud to have
joined individuals in my congressional district last year on Worlds
AIDS Day and got tested. I am also very excited and pleased that the
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, AFC, introduced its new Faith in Prevention
initiative last year, which aims to include 12 churches and faith-based
organizations to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS on the health of
African-American men and women in Chicago. Each received a leadership
grant to support activities such as HIV outreach and education, HIV
prevention Ministries, support groups and awareness events.
Again, I support this legislation and thank the gentlewoman from
California for her dedication to HIV/AIDS and for bring this
legislation to the floor. But I remind our country--more needs to be
done.

{time} 1145

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Towns) for yielding me this time and for his leadership on this
important issue.
I rise to support this resolution. Monday of this week was National
Black HIV and AIDS Awareness and Information Day. It is timely for us
to consider this resolution, but this can only be the beginning.
Today, African American women have a 23 times greater AIDS rate than
white women, and African American men almost nine times greater rate of
AIDS than their white counterparts. It was my honor, along with the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), this Monday to host the Howard
University National AIDS Education and Training Center here on Capitol
Hill for a briefing on where we are in the epidemic and the outstanding
work they have been able to do in providing technical assistance,
training and support to centers and providers around our country that
serve minority populations with HIV and AIDS.
It was great to hear and see the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative funding
doing exactly what it was intended to do, build capacity in heavily
affected communities and improve culturally and linguistically
concordant community-driven services.
Later on in the evening of Black AIDS Day, I joined New York City
Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Councilman Al Vann in recognizing
several community activists for their work. We also honored Debra
Fraser Howze, the founder and president of the National Black
Leadership Commission on AIDS, who chaired the day's activities
nationally. Debra was also one of the moving forces behind the creation
of the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and we take this opportunity to
recognize her contribution.

[[Page H435]]

I also want to talk about some of the threats that are increasing the
risk of HIV and AIDS, especially in women. First are the cuts in the
President's budget in AIDS programs and all of health, but also the
cuts in education, housing, and economic opportunity programs which
will fuel the spread of this disease.
Second is the misguided decision on the part of the department not to
target funding of the small initiative to the indigenous community and
faith-based organizations in the most severely impacted communities of
color. We have to empower our communities to be able to effect change.
Third is the ideological intrusion into good science and documented
effective preventive practices. My colleagues, we cannot bury our heads
in the sand and deny the effectiveness of condoms for the sexually
active, and neither can you insist that abstinence-only programs be
used when they ignore the reality of situations of the people who need
to be protected and whose lives we need to save.
So this resolution is important, and I want to join everyone in
applauding the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for her leadership
and her firm stance in not allowing the sense of the resolution to be
diluted, and all on this side and the other side of the aisle who
supported her. But it can only be a beginning; we have a lot more to
do, and we will be calling on our colleagues to join us in doing what
we must to win the war against this epidemic that has come to devastate
so many communities of color, HIV and AIDS.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield 3
minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and that he may
control that time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Kucinich).
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with my African American
colleagues in asking and appealing to the American people to understand
that HIV/AIDS is devastating to the African-American community. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that of all
Americans living with HIV/AIDS, African Americans represent 42 percent
of those cases. The same is true in my State of Ohio, but the rate for
blacks in Cleveland is even higher, 56 percent.
We have to attack the stigmatization of the disease among African
Americans. We must start by focusing on prevention, which is consistent
with CDC guidelines, emphasizing and identifying HIV positives, and we
must push for a comprehensive prevention policy that includes condoms
and does not ignore science at the expense of ideology.
We must commit to increasing funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative
to at least $610 million, while increasing overall budget for the Ryan
White CARE Act to fully cover treatment and eliminate waiting lists for
antiretroviral drugs. We must increase funding for the Ryan White CARE
Act by $513 million.
We have a moral imperative to fight AIDS. We have a moral imperative
to join with the African-American community in doing so.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his
commitment to this issue, and I thank as well the author, sponsor and
leader on this issue in this Congress, the gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Lee).
Sometimes the Lees are walking on the same pathway, and I certainly
appreciate the fact I have been able to walk with her on this avocation
in recognizing the devastation of HIV/AIDS as relates to the African-
American community; and I thank the gentlewoman for allowing us to join
her as original cosponsors on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, let me indicate that although we have heard from
speakers all over the country, it needs to be said over and over again,
this is not an isolated question dealing with HIV/AIDS. It is an
epidemic. It is nationwide. It is worldwide.
HIV/AIDS cases reported for African-American women in particular have
grown in numbers in the Houston area from 27 percent to 53 percent.
National statistics show the same trend. Data from the Centers for
Disease Control reported that African-American women diagnosed with
AIDS increased 53 percent to 67 percent as a fraction of all women
diagnosed with AIDS from 1985 to 2002. CDC data for 2002 indicate
African-American women diagnosed with AIDS account for 50 cases per
100,000 population, nearly five times greater than the next ethnic
group most affected by AIDS.
I cite those numbers not to ignore the plight of others impacted by
HIV/AIDS, the Hispanic and Asian communities, African-American males,
and certainly as was indicated on this floor, a lot of the transmission
to African-American women comes from heterosexual sex. But we realize
this impacts all populations, regardless of one's sexual orientation,
and HIV/AIDS is a disease of America. It is important to emphasize this
day, to salute those who continue to focus on the question of HIV/AIDS
in our community. This resolution continues to tell cities to promote
this.
Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying that we ask for a national summit
on this issue. I join my colleagues in ensuring that happens.
Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today to support H. Con. Res. 30
highlighting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. African Americans--
particularly women--have been vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infections.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that African Americans
accounted for about half of all new HIV infections, although they
represent just over 12 percent of the population.
HIV/AIDS cases reported for African-American women in the Houston
area from 27 percent to 53 percent. National statistics show the same
trends. Data from the Center for Disease Control reported that African-
American women diagnosed with AIDS increased 53 percent to 67 percent
as a fraction of all women diagnosed with AIDS from 1985 to 2002. CDC
data from 2002 indicate for women diagnosed with AIDS, African-American
women account for 50 cases per 100,000 population--nearly five times
greater than for the next ethnic group most affected by AIDS.
CDC data for the year 2002 for men diagnosed with AIDS show that
African Americans have the highest instance of reported cases with
111.9 cases per 100,000 population. The Houston Department of Health
and Human Services provided me with some local data for HIV and AIDS.
While the overall number of AIDS and HIV cases reported have remained
more or less constant--or even declined--from 1999 to 2003, there have
been increases over that time period for African Americans.
The newest HIV and AIDS therapies have proven effective in
controlling the progression of the disease. However we all know about
the high cost of these miracle drugs, which denies many African
Americans their life saving benefit. A recent report from the U.S.
Census Bureau indicates that around 20 percent of the Nation's African
Americans are uninsured. That same report indicated that the poverty
rate for African Americans was around 24 percent--higher than any other
ethnic group identified in the study.
One group that is helping address the availability of HIV and AIDS
treatments for the poor is Dr. Joseph Gathe, one of Houston's best-
known AIDS doctors, and his colleagues. Dr. Gathe and his colleagues
established the Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation in Houston in
1996--a tax exempt clinic devoted to providing quality HIV and AID
therapies to the underserved and uninsured in the Houston area. On this
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day we want to recognize and honor
people like Dr. Gathe and his co-workers who have devoted their
professional lives to treating underserved patients with HIV and AIDS.
HIV and AIDS are communicable diseases and effective treatment of all
infected patients is a national public health priority. I hope that you
will all join me in the continued support for facilities like the
Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation and physicians like Dr. Gathe.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that I really appreciate the
work of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and all the other
Members that worked on this, including the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Health, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the ranking member of
the Subcommittee on Health, the chairman of the full committee and of
course the ranking member of the full committee and all of the staff
for all of the work they have done.

[[Page H436]]

This is an area that we really need to focus on. We need to work
together on this issue to be able to see what we can do to bring it
under control. It has been said over and over again that this is a
disease that can be dealt with. The only thing we have to do is put
some resources there and also work together. I think if we do that, we
can bring this horrible disease under control.
I want to thank all of those who worked so hard to make us focus on
this because this is something that we cannot ignore. Some things you
can ignore and they will go away. If we ignore this, it is going to get
bigger and bigger and bigger. The time is now to put the resources
behind it and deal with it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support
for H. Con. Res. 30, supporting the goals and ideals of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not over. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, African-Americans make up 12 percent of
the U.S. population, and account for half of the new HIV cases reported
in the United States. HIV/AIDS is devastating Black people in Africa
and America, and we must act now to turn this epidemic of our time
around.
Overall, it is estimated that half of new HIV infections occur among
teenagers and young adults aged 25 years and younger. Numerous studies
suggest that African-American young people represent the majority of
these infections. Something must be done, and we must all do our part.
In the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS was primarily considered a gay white
disease in the United States. Today, however, the HIV epidemic infects
and affects African-Americans more than any other population. It's not
who you are, but what you do that puts you at risk for HIV/AIDS.
African Americans suffer the ``vast majority'' of deaths from AIDS-
related causes, according to a Health and Human Services report. More
than half of the new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 32 states between 2000 and
2003 were among African-Americans, although African-Americans
represented only 13 percent of the populations of those States,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly report.
During the same period, 69 percent of women who tested HIV-positive
were African-American, and the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among African-
American women is 18 times the rate among non-Hispanic white women. In
addition, African-American men in 2003 had the highest rate of new HIV/
AIDS diagnoses than any other racial/ethnic group, about seven times
the rate among white men and twice the rate among African-American
women.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to reiterate my support for H. Con. Res. 30,
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Something must be done, and we
must all do our part.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This is a day intended to raise awareness and
visibility of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts among African Americans. I
applaud the efforts of Representative Lee from California in bringing
this important resolution to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, this day is unfortunately very necessary. It deserves
the attention of this Congress and our Nation because the face of HIV/
AIDS is changing. Since the onslaught of HIV in the early 80s, the face
of HIV/AIDS has become increasingly more African-American and more
female.
In fact, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African Americans
between the ages of 25-44.
Also, while African Americans represent only 12 percent of the
population, we account for 49 percent of all reported cases of AIDS
reported among adults and adolescents and the AIDS diagnosis rate among
African Americans was almost 11 times the rate among whites.
For African-American women the figures are even more shocking as they
account for 67 percent of all new HIV cases. Needless to say these
figures are appalling and indicate we need to face this pandemic with
all due urgency.
I think there are many things that we can do to help alleviate the
problem, but there are two pressing items that come to mind:
First, each of us must be willing to have a difficult conversation
with people we love about protecting themselves from AIDS. Having these
difficult conversations can save lives.
Second, we must work together to fight the virus where it is having
its most deadly impact. Federal dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment should follow the epidemic and reach those who
are most affected. Needless to say, more Federal funding is needed to
accomplish this goal.
I applaud the President for mentioning this HIV/AIDS problem during
his State of the Union Address.
However, the meager increase in the Bush budget for the Ryan White
AIDS program at $2.1 billion is a good start, but, sadly not enough.
That is why full funding for the Minority Aids Initiative, spearheaded
by Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus in 1998 is so
important.
Mr. Speaker, in 1998, I received some local criticism for speaking
out about HIV/AIDS in Baltimore. To this day, I occasionally am told
that highlighting the health crisis devastating Baltimore's African-
American community reinforces negative stereotypes about African-
Americans.
Nationally, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
inform us that more than one-half of the adult American men infected
during the last 20 years have been people of color.
Remaining silent about a threat of such magnitude would be an
unthinkable moral error.
In the Congress, our public conversation about the adequacy of
America's response to AIDS will continue as long as Federal policy
fails to adequately protect our health.
We already know, however, that public policy and Federal funds alone
will not fully safeguard those we love.
In every household, church and school, Americans must find the will
to talk candidly with each other about protecting ourselves.
No one else will value our lives more than we do.
As a father, I know that talking with our children about their
personal lives can be a difficult and uncomfortable duty--but we have
no choice.
Eight out of every ten American women and children infected by the
HIV virus since 1981 have been people of color--and one of the most
cruel aspects of this plague is its preference for the young.
It has become the second leading killer of young black women--and the
current trends offer no comfort.
Of the 40,000 new HIV infections reported nationally during 1999-
2000, fully one-half involved young people under the age of 24.
Three-quarters of those new victims have been young people who look
like us.
When we confront these appalling facts, each of us who is a parent or
grandparent is faced with a difficult question.
What do we say to our young people that will help them protect
themselves from this plague?
Dr. Ligia Peralta, Director of the Adolescent AIDS Clinic at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine, suggests that our private
conversations with our children empower them to take control of their
own health.
``For young women, in particular'' she informs us, ``the greatest
risk of contracting HIV/AIDS comes from an intimate relationship with
someone she loves. Theoretically, she understands the risk of sexually-
transmitted infection. Personally, though, she may not connect that
risk with her man.''
``If her young man is not an intravenous drug user,'' Dr. Peralta
continues, ``a young woman in love may think that she is safe from HIV/
AIDS. She doesn't even think about the possibility that he may have
been infected by another woman, or by another man.''
Therein lies their danger. In our private conversations with our
children about protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS, we should counsel
abstinence. As a practical matter, however, it is wise to discuss all
of their options, including condoms.
With Federal help, local health departments now offer free, anonymous
HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. Sexually active young people should
take advantage of that service--and insist that their partners do so as
well. Talking candidly with our children about intimate matters can be
difficult.
It is those private conversations, however, that will save the lives
of those we love. Silence about HIV/AIDS feeds the destroyer of lives.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
measure, which supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day, which was February 7, 2005. This measure recognizes the
fifth anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and
encourages the President to emphasize the importance of addressing the
HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African-American community, especially
among African-American women.
The statistics on HIV/AIDS in the African-American community are
alarming. Over 172,000 African-Americans are living with AIDS and this
population represents 42 percent of all cases in the United States. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimate that 69
percent of all children born to HIV-infected mothers were African-
American. On a whole, African-Americans

[[Page H437]]

have the poorest survival rates of any racial or ethnic group diagnosed
with AIDS, with 55 percent surviving after 9 years compared to 61
percent of Hispanics, 64 percent of whites, and 69 percent of Asian
Pacific Islanders.
Another goal of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to encourage
State and local governments, including their public health agencies, to
recognize this day and to publicize its importance among their
communities as well as to encourage individuals to undergo testing for
HIV.
At this time, I am particularly pleased to recognize the city of
Alexandria and Wholistic Family Agape Ministries Institute for hosting
a city of Alexandria Unified Outreach Event in recognition of National
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, African-
American females account for 76.5 percent of the female cases and
African-American males account for 55.1 percent of the cases. On
February 7, Mayor Bill Euille, on behalf of the Alexandria City
Council, issued a proclamation urging all citizens to take part in
activities and observances designed to increase awareness and
understanding of HIV/AIDS as a global challenge, to take part in HIV/
AIDS prevention activities and programs, and to join the local and
global effort to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.
The Wholistic Family Agape Ministries Institute and the city of
Alexandria should be commended for their efforts to provide information
and support to the Alexandria community and help to lower the
percentage of African-American individuals contracting HIV and AIDS.
Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today the House of
Representatives will vote on House Concurrent Resolution 30 supporting
the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which
has been observed in February the past 5 years.
Last year, I brought together a number of African-American community
leaders in Lansing, MI, with an expert on HIV/AIDS issues in the Black
community. That gathering brought to light the sad statistics on this
disease among African Americans across the Nation and right in my own
community.
The more than 172,000 African Americans living with AIDS in the
United States represents about 42 percent of cases in the Nation.
Estimates put the Michigan HIV-infected population at more than
16,000, with African-American men, at 44 percent, and African-American
women, at 20 percent, outnumbering two-to-one all cases in white men--
25 percent--and women--5 percent--and those of other ethnicity. Ingham
County in the Eighth Congressional District is among the 15 Michigan
counties that account for 84 percent of all cases of HIV/AIDS in the
State.
Across the Nation, in 2003, African Americans accounted for half of
all new HIV infections, even though they make up only slightly over 12
percent of the Nation's entire population. The U.S. Centers for Disease
Control tell us that African-American women account for 67 percent of
all new AIDS cases among women, and AIDS is one of the top three
leading causes of death among African-American women ages 35 through
44.
Among African-American men, AIDS also falls in the top three of
causes of death among those ages 25 through 54.
Today's vote highlights the need to support the goals and ideals of
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7 each year at the
local, State, and national level of government and media. It also
highlights the need to build awareness and education among African-
American communities as we work to reduce this dangerous disease among
the families and communities across the Nation.
As we acknowledge the awareness and education efforts signified by
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I am committed to working with
our community and national groups as they focus on preventing this
serious disease and reducing the impact it has on individual
communities and states, and on our entire Nation.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 30,
supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness
Day. HIV/AIDS is having a devastating affect on the African American
community. The statistics given by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) are staggering. The cold numbers reveal the stunning
human cost of the disease.
While African Americans make up less than 13 percent of the
population in the United States, they represent almost 40 percent of
the diagnosed cases of AIDS since the epidemic started. In 2003,
African Americans accounted for almost 50 percent of the estimated
cases diagnosed. African American women are currently the most at risk
of contracting HIV/AIDS. The rate of AIDS cases among black women is 19
times higher than white women and five times the infection rate of
Latinas. The infection rate among black men, while lower, is no less
troubling. In 2003, 44 percent of the AIDS cases diagnosed among men
were African American males.
These numbers are painful to listen to and to read. The painful
realities of this world do not always make front-page news, but this
issue must be addressed. We must join together in a bi-partisan, bi-
cameral effort to eradicate this epidemic.
I am pleased to join with my esteemed colleague Ms. Lee in this
effort and commend her distinguished and dedicated leadership on this
issue. Mr. Speaker, thousands of African Americans are suffering from
HIV/AIDS. On this day, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and
Information Day, we must make a concerted effort to ensure that
education, awareness and prevention are a priority in the 109th
Congress.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Towns) for his handling of the resolution on the floor today. I
urge adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 30, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________