Political Quotes

“Madam President, on December 1, we mark the 34th anniversary of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day calls on us to remember those lost to AIDS and support those who live with HIV/AIDS-related illnesses. On this day, we also raise awareness for the global health crisis and redouble our efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Established in 1998, World AIDS Day marked the first international day for global health. Since then, World AIDS Day has adopted targeted themes to raise awareness and encourage international cooperation. This year's theme, ``Equalize,'' focuses on addressing persisting inequalities in the fight against AIDS. Vulnerable groups such as young women, gay men, transgender people, people of color, and sex workers struggle to access contraception, testing, treatment, and new technologies. Criminalization, discrimination, and social stigmas continue to target these vulnerable populations across the globe. The 2022 ``Equalize'' campaign reminds us that our fight cannot be won until such inequalities are eliminated. Since the first U.S. cases of AIDS were reported in June 1981, over 700,000 people in the U.S. have died from HIV-related illnesses. As of 2019, nearly 1.2 million people were living with HIV. In 2020, 30,635 people received an HIV diagnosis in the U.S. and dependent areas. My home State of Maryland is not immune to this issue. As of 2021, over 32,000 Marylanders over 13 years old are living with HIV, with 773 new diagnoses that same year.…”