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For Immediate Release
May 27, 2003
Contact: Sarah Whitehead
Email: swhitehead@aidsaction.org
Phone: (202) 530-8030, ext. 3060
President
Bush Signs Global AIDS Legislation
(Washington, DC) Today at the State Department, President Bush signed into
law the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003,
which he had originally proposed just four months ago in his State of the Union
Address. The landmark legislation, which will support efforts "to turn the
tide against HIV/AIDS" in 14 countries-twelve in Africa and two in the Caribbean-is
a groundbreaking bill for several reasons. First, the size of the commitment is
unprecedented. As the president noted in his speech, "the legislation's promise
of $15 billion is "the largest, single up front commitment in history for
an international public health initiative involving a specific disease."
Another unprecedented dimension of the bill is its unanimous support from both
chambers of the U.S. Congress. Finally, the bill endorses an innovative concept
that heretofore has never been considered: the exchange of debt relief for nations
in exchange for their contributions to health care at home.
"It's good to see the U.S. accept responsibility for the [global] epidemic,"
Ronald Johnson, associate director of the Gay Men's Health Crisis and board chair
for AIDS Action noted after the signing. However, he added, "I certainly
hope that it is viewed in the context of a start-not only for the U.S., but for
other developed countries."
"President Bush worked tirelessly to see that this bill passed through
Congress and arrived on his desk for signing before he left for the G-8 conference,
where he could use it to leverage support from other wealthy nations. This is
just the kind of leadership that the HIV/AIDS response needs," AIDS Action
Executive Director Dr. Marsha Martin, who attended the signing stated.
In a meeting prior to the signing, President Bush thanked AIDS Action for its
work in helping to ensure the legislation's passage. The president went on to
acknowledge the hard work ahead, but pointed out optimistically that the work
will be done by many, not few.
AIDS Action was also represented by Pernessa Seele, CEO of The Balm In Gilead;
Dr. Linda Frank, executive director of the National AETCs; John Brown, executive
director of Desert AIDS Project; Charles Henry, director of the Los Angeles County
Health Department-Office of AIDS Programs and Policy; Millicent Gorham, executive
director of the National Black Nurses Association, and Letitia Gomez, of the AIDS
Action Foundation Board of Directors.
John Brown indicated enthusiasm for the new legislation which, he said, will
save many lives. He credits the success of its passage, in part, to a shift in
HIV/AIDS advocacy. "On an advocacy level, we have learned an important lesson
[from this legislation]: HIV/AIDS advocacy works best when it's bipartisan. He
continued by suggesting that advocates recognize the differing priorities of Republicans
and Democrats and craft messages that resonate with each party. Until it's over.
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About AIDS Action
AIDS Action strives to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working for public policies
that promote prevention against new infections, provide care for people already
living with HIV/AIDS, and support the search for a cure. AIDS Action is the national
voice of all people living with HIV, representing community based organizations
across the country.
www.aidsaction.org
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