David Weldon: “I did my internship and residency in San Francisco in the early eighties when AIDS was ravaging the homosexual community…”

“I did my internship and residency in San Francisco in the early eighties when AIDS was ravaging the homosexual community in that city. Prior to coming here to the U.S. House, I practiced infectious diseases and primarily treated AIDS, so I have seen firsthand the devastation that this disease can cause. I certainly commend all those involved with working to bring this bill to the floor. I am particularly pleased that the chairman was willing to work with me to add language to emphasize the importance of a safe blood supply and the importance of prophylactic drugs for victims of rape and sexual assault; certainly, also, the language to emphasize access to infant formula and other alternatives for infant feeding. Many babies are born to HIV mothers and survive the birth process without contracting AIDS, to only go on, unfortunately, to contract the disease through the process of breast feeding. I do remain concerned, Madam Speaker, that the bill does not sufficiently stress abstinence. Abstinence programs have shown to be helpful in Uganda and Senegal; and abstinence, of course, is the only approach that actually guarantees that AIDS will not be spread.”