Barbara Lee Statement on the 30th Anniversary of First Reported Cases of AIDS in the United States
Media Contact: Joel Payne, (202) 225-2661
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement today to commemorate 30thanniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS in the United States, which occurs on June 5. The first five reported cases occurred in Los Angeles, California:
“This weekend marks thirty years since the first reported cases of AIDS in the United States. Of course, this is a solemn anniversary, but also an important time for reflection. As we remember our family, friends and loved ones who we have lost to HIV and AIDS, we should also recognize the courage and compassion of the countless advocates who fight every day to eradicate this horrific epidemic.
“Despite many challenges, we have made progress in our fight against this disease. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy and passage of the Affordable Care Act give us the ability to expand health coverage for people living with HIV and AIDS in significant ways. Similarly, our international efforts have saved millions of lives around the world by expanding treatment and prevention programming, particularly in countries hardest hit by the epidemic.
“But the scourge of AIDS remains a serious threat. There is much more work to do to ensure greater progress is made in our communities and around the world. That is why I recently introduced H.R. 1880, legislation to require a report on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and U.S. collaboration to achieving the goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Today, I join millions around the world to reaffirm my commitment to put HIV/AIDS on the long-term road to elimination.”
Congresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a National AIDS Strategy, and is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Education with jurisdiction over all domestic HIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme’s Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that lead to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference - scheduled for July 2012 in Washington DC - to be held in the U.S. after 20 years.
Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee
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