{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://jacksonlee.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee-statement-on-world-aids-day", "Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on World AIDS Day", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sheila Jackson Lee", "J000032", "jacksonlee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Contact: Glenn Rushing\nDecember 1, 2016\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (202) 225-3816\n\u00a0\nCongresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on World AIDS Day\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior Member of the House Committee on Judiciary and House Committee on Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, released the following statement today commemorating \u201cWorld AIDS Day\u201d:\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe have come a long way since the first World AIDS Day in 1988. We have dramatically expanded 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.\n\u00a0\n\u201cOur investments have saved lives \u2013 preventing millions of new HIV cases, expanding access to improved treatments, and enabling medical advances that help HIV/AIDS patients live longer and healthier. Here and across the globe, AIDS-related deaths are on the decline \u2013 with UNAIDS estimating that 700,000 deaths were averted last year.\u00a0 Studies are pointing the way to new ways to limit the spread of the disease, with treatment as prevention. Yet, while our efforts have grown, we still only reach half of all people eligible for HIV treatment; and more must be done.\n\u00a0\n\u201cWorking together, we must continue to strengthen \u2013 not weaken \u2013 our national and international efforts to combat AIDS and other infectious diseases. We must work to achieve the Obama Administration\u2019s goal of an AIDS-free generation. We must honor the memory of those we have lost and act on our hope, optimism, and determination to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic.\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe must continue to work with programs and clinics, like \u00a0Legacy Community Health, Avenue 360 Health and Wellness,\u00a0Change Happens, and the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD)\u00a0who are treating and caring for patients with HIV/AIDS. In 1989, HCHD opened Thomas Street Health Center, the first free-standing facility dedicated to outpatient HIV/AIDS care in the nation. The center has become the cornerstone of all HIV/AIDS care available to Harris County residents.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThe Thomas Street Health Center has dedicated their services to about 25 percent of Harris County\u2019s HIV/AIDS. Annually, the health center, along with HCHD, serves 4,463 unique patients for about 37,000 patients\u2019 visits.\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe will continue to fight a tough fight against HIV and AIDS. We will continue to strengthen and support centers like Thomas Street Health Center, Legacy Community Health, Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, and Change Happens\u00a0who work diligently with HIV/AIDS patients. Our focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness will be to ensure all of our friends, relatives and children live healthy and full lives.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###\n  Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas\u2019s 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://jacksonlee.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee-statement-on-world-aids-day"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4142729341983795, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}