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The Caucus, formerly known as the Task Force on International HIV/AIDS, will explore five thematic areas: implementation of the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy; financing for bilateral and multilateral HIV/AIDS programs; the state of HIV/AIDS research; the role of faith-based organizations; and the 2012 International HIV/AIDS Conference, which will be held next July in Washington, D.C.

[Bordallo speaks at the launch of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus]

This bipartisan Caucus has more than 50 members, and is chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California, Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona, and Congressman Jim McDermott of Washington.

The Congresswoman remains active in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Earlier this year, she reintroduced a resolution, H. Res. 265, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This resolution addresses the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS among the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and promotes education to help remove the stigma associated with people living with HIV and AIDS. According to a recent analysis released by the CDC, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were the only racial/ethnic group with a significant increase in new HIV infections with 4.4 percent. Moreover, one out of three Asians and Pacific Islanders who received an HIV diagnosis progressed to AIDS in less than 12 months.

“I am proud to join my colleagues today in launching the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus to support initiatives to end an epidemic that has claimed more than 25 million lives worldwide,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “I am hopeful that my colleagues and I can build upon the work of the Task Force and improve accessibility to programs and services critical to prevention and treatment efforts.  I look forward to working with them to find new, effective ways to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS, especially among the Asian and Pacific Islander community.”