Groups Call on President to Support Funds to Fight AIDS

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Groups Call on President to Support Funds to Fight AIDS U.S. Newswire 7 Nov 12:26 Members Of Congress, Civic Groups and Pop Stars Call On President Bush To Support $1 Billion Of Emergency Funds To Fight AIDS Web site: www.globalaidsalliance.org or www.aaaw.org WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, civic groups, and popstars today called on President Bush and the US Congress to provide $1.2 billion in emergency funds to combat the global scourges of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The funds would go primarily to the international Global Health Fund for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which requires approximately $10 billion annually to be fully operational, but to which the US is contributing just $250 million. " Those of us working in Africa to stop AIDS welcome this determined effort, which all Americans should join, " stated Chatinkha Nkhoma, Africa Program Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. " US resources are needed now more than ever, to save lives and help create a more peaceful world " stated Dr. Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. The CIA in a recent report identified AIDS and other diseases as a major threat to stability and security in affected regions, and the epidemic of tuberculosis is a major threat in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over 70 members of Congress have signed a letter to President Bush calling for an emergency appropriation this fiscal year. In the Senate, the appeal was authored by Senator Leahy (D-VT). Senators including Mikulski (D-MD), Feinstein (D-CA), Durbin (D-IL), and Murray (D-WA) also signed the letter to the President. In the House, the letter was originated by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim Leach (R-IA), Conyers (D-MI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Connie Morella (R-MD). Over 60 of their House colleagues joined them, including Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). " The US has responded with great urgency to the attacks of September 11th, but we and the world have yet to mobilize to combat AIDS, the worst public health emergency in half a millennium, " said Senator Leahy (D-VT). " Far more resources are needed to prevent the deaths of tens of millions of people, and we are asking the President to make this the priority it deserves. " " At the dawn of the 21st Century, the world confronts one of the most serious and urgent public health challenges in the history of mankind, " stated Rep. Jim Leach. " It is self-evident that the United States has a national as well as humanitarian interest in helping to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Infectious diseases of this nature know no borders. " " I was encouraged by Secretary General Colin 's message of hope last night that America would not let terrorism distract it from battling the AIDS epidemic in Africa, " said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) " Today, we present an opportunity for the United States to further its commitment to that crucial endeavor by providing more resources to the global AIDS fund. " Over 130 non-governmental organizations also sent an appeal for emergency action to the President. These groups included such humanitarian, religious, civil rights, professional and activist organizations as the Global AIDS Alliance, Church World Service, the Episcopal Church, African Faith and Justice Network, Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, Health GAP Coalition, Student Global AIDS Campaign, Hope for African Children Initiative, RESULTS, NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens, American Jewish World Service, Society for Women and AIDS in Africa, American Nurses Association, Jubilee USA Network, Global Health Council, Physicians for Human Rights and many more. Thirty-five pop stars also joined the urgent call for action. Such artists as Bono, Destiny's Child, NSYNC, Nelly Furtado, Aguilera, Ja Rule, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Keyes, Wyclef J Blige, and many more wrote to Senators and Representatives this week to urge them to sign the letters to the President. These artists, in partnership with Artists Against AIDS Worldwide (AAAW), have re-recorded several new mixes of Marvin Gaye's hit " What's Going On " in order to raise funds for AIDS programs in Africa as well as the September 11th Fund. " 'What's Going On' is a wake up call to President Bush and our Congress, " stated actress and singer Nona Gaye, who is the daughter of Marvin Gaye. " As a first step, we want $1.2 billion in emergency funds to stop AIDS in Africa this year. " KEYWORDS: HEALTH, INTERNATIONAL, POLICY http://www.usnewswire.com -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 11/07 12:26 Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire