Eventually, infirmity and death subdue everyone. There is no shame in dying - as long as we do not cooperate in our own destruction.

African Americans suffer serious illness and death far out of proportion to our numbers in the larger society. Recognizing this harsh fact of our lives, President Clinton has taken the initiative in a concerted national effort to eliminate racially-based health disparities by the year 2010.

According to U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, "Six areas have been targeted as starting points. They are cardiovascular disease, cancer, infant mortality, immunizations, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes. These are areas in which we see a great deal of disparity between majority and minority populations and areas where we believe we can make a measurable difference."

These racial disparities reflect public health policies and practices which have denied too many African Americans quality health care. If we are to hold America accountable, however, we also must take a candid look at our own power to enhance our survival.

As a community, African Americans have a vital self-interest in working with the President, the Surgeon General and other health advocates in the suppression of these largely preventable health problems. That is why the community-based health leadership demonstrated in Baltimore this week is so significant.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Morgan State University joined with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to sponsor a regional session of the 1999 National Conference on African Americans and AIDS.

AIDS continues to be a major health concern in Baltimore. According to the Baltimore City Health Department's AIDS Statistical Summary, released last April, African Americans accounted for 87% of Baltimore AIDS cases. 97% of our pediatric AIDS cases involved black children.

At this time, we can manage, but cannot cure, AIDS. Nationally, and in Baltimore, prevention is our best policy option.

As an important step toward that end, I strongly support Dr. John Carrington Chunn in his call for a National HIV/AIDS Prevention Council for the African American Community, centered at Morgan State and drawing upon the resources of Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland. We must bring together our scientific and medical communities - and we must reach out to our churches and street corners.

Too many of our people are dying before their time; and too many others no longer experience the quality of life they deserve. I firmly believe that we can put a stop to this appalling devastation, but it will require the concerted effort of our entire community.

That is why every man in the Baltimore area - and his family - should visit the free Legacy 2000 health fair on Saturday, September 25th, between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Our Legacy 2000 alliance for improving the health of men of color is dedicated to saving lives which otherwise would be lost to cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS and diabetes - and we want you and your loved ones to benefit from this effort.

Legacy 2000 is a golden opportunity to receive free health screenings for prostate cancer, cholesterol, vision or dental problems, diabetes, T.B. and HIV/AIDS. Free flu shots and immunizations will also be provided for both children and adults. Lifestyle workshops will supplement the individualized information provided during the medical screenings - and there also will be some wonderful family entertainment throughout the day.

I am honored to serve as an honorary co-chair for Legacy 2000; and I am even more gratified to be a participant in the Legacy 2000 "tree of life." This grass roots campaign will reach out to at least 6000 Baltimore men, encouraging each of us to improve our own health and that of our friends.

In Washington, I will continue to stand with the President and the Congressional Black Caucus, demanding a public health system in which being black is not a mortality factor. Here in Baltimore and throughout America, however, it is time to exercise our power as a community to choose life.