Political Quotes

“I rise today to ask my Senate colleagues to join me in recognizing--belatedly--April as National Minority Health Month. For over 30 years, this commemorative event has provided us the opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made in addressing minority health disparities and related issues in our Nation, and to renew our commitment to continue this critically important effort. The theme of this year's National Minority Health Month observance, ``Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation,'' reflects both a sense of urgency and determination in moving the country forward toward health equity. Minorities now make up more than 35 percent of the American population and that number is expected to rise in the future. Studies have shown, however, that disparities persist for minority populations and are evident in higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and infant mortality, among other conditions. For instance, over 29 million Americans suffer from diabetes. But African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with, and to die from, diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, nearly one-half of all African Americans and Latinos experience the highest rates of adult obesity.…”