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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		White House, Congressional Black Caucus Event on HIV/AIDS, Washington, D.C.
DATE:		October 28, 1998

Responding to the Crisis

Today, October 28, is an auspicious day for this occasion. Because today -- exactly 200 years ago -- was the birthday of Levi Coffin, founder of the Underground Railroad. If Mr. Coffin were alive today, he would see we've come a long and winding road since those days of shame. But I imagine he'd be troubled by the crisis of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community, which has been kept underground for far too long.

As the President has made clear, this Administration has been committed from the start to attack the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America with every tool at our disposal. With the support of Congress, we've boosted overall funding for AIDS-related programs by more than 90 percent since 1993. And we've nearly tripled funding for the Ryan White CARE Act. At NIH, we launched a new vaccine research center and challenged science to develop an AIDS vaccine in 10 years. At the FDA, our quicker AIDS drug-approval process has brought forth 9 new AIDS drugs, 20 new drugs for AIDS-related conditions, and three new diagnostic tests.

As today's announcement demonstrates, as the face of AIDS has changed, so have our strategies to address it. A substantial portion of our federal AIDS dollars goes to serving racial and ethnic minorities. Sixty-three percent of participants in AIDS clinical trials sponsored by NIH are minorities - 40 percent are African-American. Forty-two percent of clients served by Title I of the Ryan White Act are African- Americans. And last month, we made a down payment on boosting the ability of communities of color to fight this health crisis, a down payment on the significant investment the President has announced today.

Today is an important milestone. But we have miles to go before we complete the journey that Levi Coffin began, and secure health equality for all Americans. But this milestone today signifies more than a new push against HIV/AIDS. It signifies that when it really counts, Washington can pull together to respond to the real needs of real people. It signifies that we have a creative, responsive federal government. It signifies that democracy works -- that a devoted group of lawmakers, community leaders and activists can join forces, raise their voices, demand action, and hold our feet to the fire. Finally, this day signifies that still have real, fire-in-the-belly leaders in Congress giving voice to the voiceless in America -- extraordinary leaders like Louis Stokes and Maxine Waters.

Dr. King was right when said, "Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." Today we take a giant step toward justice. And it's my honor to introduce a man whose leadership and concern made this day possible -- Congressman Louis Stokes. I have known Congressman Stokes since I was a teenager. He was a law school classmate of my mother's. He leaves Congress with our highest praise, affection and admiration -- in particular for his outstanding leadership on minority health. The Congressman from Cleveland, my dear friend, the Honorable Louis Stokes.

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