Edolphus Towns: “I am very pleased that we finally have the opportunity to vote on a conference concerning the reauthorization of the…”

“I am very pleased that we finally have the opportunity to vote on a conference concerning the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. I want to particularly commend the Chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis], for his tireless efforts to reauthorize this legislation. I want to also thank the ranking minority member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Waxman], for his work not only on this bill but also for the tremendous role he has played in the past in working on the Ryan White Act. And, I am certain the majority and minority staff are to be equally commended for their efforts. There is no more critical issue than funding for health care services to combat the AIDS virus. Those of us from New York State continue to have the unfortunate distinction of the highest number of AIDS and HIV infection cases in the Nation. In fact, the Ft. Greene community in my congressional district, has the highest incidence of new AIDS cases of any area in New York City. Mr. Speaker, Ryan White programs have been critical to New York's ability to provide a continuum of care which has greatly improved the quality of life for people with AIDS and HIV infection.”