Porter Goss: “at the end of last week we learned of a breakthrough in a long stalemate between approximately 8,000 American…”

“at the end of last week we learned of a breakthrough in a long stalemate between approximately 8,000 American hemophiliacs infected with HIV and the manufacturers of blood-clotting products that led to the hemophiliacs' infection. News reports indicate a settlement offer of $600 million if certain conditions are met. This is certainly a welcome development after years of fingerpointing and frustrated court proceedings. As I have said many times, it is time the victims of this tragedy in the United States achieved some closure in this case. It is my strong hope that this settlement proposal will lead to a concrete result for the victims and their families. These folks have suffered since the early 1980's with the knowledge that a product they relied on to improve their quality of life actually carried the virus that causes deadly AIDS. For many years, people in the hemophilia community have charged that more could have been done to make those products safe. While recognizing that hindsight is always crystal clear, many experts have concluded that efforts to develop and market safer products sooner were not given a high priority in the face of powerful incentives to preserve the status quo. Mr. Speaker, as Members know, I have sponsored legislation to provide compassionate assistance to these victims from the Government.”