Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Commemorates World Aids Day 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Robin Chand
November 30, 2018 202-228-3816
Press Statement
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Commemorates World Aids Day 2018
Jackson Lee— "Our focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness will be to ensure all of our friends, relatives, and children live healthy and full lives. We must continue to strengthen – not weaken – our national and international efforts to combat AIDS and other infectious diseases so that we may achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation."
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, and the Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and a former member of the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, issued this statement on World AIDS Day:
"Tomorrow marks World AIDS Day and affords us the opportunity to reflect on our progress in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic and to rededicate ourselves to ending the disease once and for all. We have made great strides since the first World AIDS Day in 1988 by dramatically expanding investments in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and research. Strong advocacy has paved the way for the Ryan White Act, the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS Initiative, growing investments in NIH research, and an end to the ban on federal funds for syringe exchange. Beyond our borders, our efforts have extended care to millions in the developing world, through increased resources for PEPFAR and the Global Fund.
"Our investments have saved lives – preventing millions of new HIV cases, expanding access to improved treatments, and enabling medical advances that help HIV/AIDS patients live longer and healthier. While our efforts have grown, we still only reach half of all people eligible for HIV treatment; and more must be done.
"We must continue to work with programs and clinics, like the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD), who are treating and caring for patients with HIV/AIDS. Our focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness will be to ensure all of our friends, relatives and children live healthy and full lives. We must continue to strengthen – not weaken – our national and international efforts to combat AIDS and other infectious diseases so that we may achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
"Finally, we must honor the memory of those we have lost and act on our hope, optimism, and determination to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Together, we can stand hand in hand and continue the fight against AIDS."
Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat representing the 18th Congressional District of Texas, is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security and the Budget. She is a Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.