Press Release - Pascrell Kicks Off HIV/AIDS Awareness: Promotes 'Operation Get Tested'

PASCRELL KICKS OFF HIV/AIDS AWARENESS: PROMOTES ‘ OPERATION GET TESTED'

WAYNE- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today attended a news conference with ‘Who's Positive,' a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the transmission of HIV among teens and young adults through increased education and awareness. Together, Pascrell, ‘Who's Positive,' Roche Pharmaceuticals, and others gathered to kick off a nationwide movement called ‘Operation Get Tested' from William Paterson University.

‘Operation Get Tested' provides youth with an opportunity to be tested for HIV free of charge. Six HIV positive youth and five "Who's Positive" staff people today began a 48-day nationwide bust tour from New York to California to humanize HIV. The bus tour will stop at 35 high schools and and colleges in 25 states. The tour will end on December 1, 2006, World AIDS day.

"I am proud to stand here today with the courageous spokespeople of ‘Who's Positive,' as well as William Paterson University, and our other sponsors," stated Pascrell. "It is through these partnerships we help those infected -- and affected -- by HIV and AIDS. Most importantly, we will continue to work to stop the spread of HIV, especially among our state's most valuable resources: teens and young adults."

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http://www.pascrell.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=12247