Washington, DC –(Friday, November 30, 2012) –  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on World AIDS Day, which falls on Saturday, December 1, 2012:

“As we approach the 19^th anniversary of World AIDS Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to finding a cure for this deadly disease, so that an AIDS-free generation can soon become a reality. As a Nation, we have made remarkable progress over the past 30 years in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  We must not only renew our efforts, we must pursue a cure and improved treatment aggressively. 

With investments in advanced research and cutting edge technology, we are considerably closer than we were 31 years ago to finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Despite our Nation’s fiscal woes, we must continue to prioritize funding, research, and treatment initiatives. Not only is HIV debilitating and AIDS a deadly diagnosis for so many globally, these illnesses are a huge economic burden on our Nation.  Scaling back our investments in HIV/AIDS research is short-sided and could compromise domestic productivity and fiscal growth. I am deeply concerned about the destruction that HIV/AIDS has brought to the African-American community. While African-American women comprise 22 percent of the population in Dallas, they account for 71 percent of women who are diagnosed with HIV.

On World AIDS Day, let’s use this opportunity to take up a renewed call to fight this global pandemic, and reinforce our efforts in helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.