Barbara Lee: “Yesterday marked World AIDS Day and more than 30 years since the first discovery of AIDS in the United States. As the…”

“Yesterday marked World AIDS Day and more than 30 years since the first discovery of AIDS in the United States. As the cofounder of the HIV/AIDS caucus, I am proud to say that we have made great strides in combating the AIDS epidemic here in our own country and throughout the world. Contracting HIV is no longer the death sentence that it once was, but much more remains to be done. A recent report by UNAIDS found that we have 5 years to break the epidemic for good or risk it rebounding out of control. We cannot allow the gains we have made in fighting for an AIDS-free generation to be lost, and we can eradicate AIDS if we devote proper resources to the fight both here and abroad. We must reduce the stigma surrounding the disease by strengthening educational and outreach activities to help prevent millions of new HIV cases worldwide. We must also provide the science-based comprehensive sex education that has proven to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and we must repeal laws that promote discrimination and hate. Mr. Speaker, now is the time to take bold action to create a world that is free from HIV and AIDS. I urge my colleagues to join me in working to achieve an AIDS-free generation. ____________________”