(Atlanta - April 7) At a White House ceremony this afternoon, President Clinton will name former AID Atlanta executive director Sandra Thurman as Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy. The position, commonly known as "AIDS Czar," is in charge of developing a national response to the disease, which has killed well over half a million Americans.

Thurman has a clear picture of her immediate priorities. "We first must reinvigorate the AIDS Policy Office," she said. "And there are two aspects to this. First, we must establish an effective relationship with the AIDS community. I'd like to form a 'kitchen cabinet' of people who have worked in AIDS for the past decade. In this respect I envision the office as a battle station for the community to bring their concerns and help influence public policy. The second aspect is to establish a stronger front at the White House. The President has listened to my concerns about this, and has moved the Directors' office into the White House complex, which should allow the director to keep HIV issues on the forefront of the national conscience, reminding the administration of the importance of AIDS issues."

Thurman has worked in direct services for people with AIDS for a number of years, and this perspective is a strong component of her attitude toward the disease. "I have an understanding of what it takes to work in the front lines in the battle against AIDS," she said. "For 13 years I've worked as a volunteer helping people with AIDS on an individual basis, and as an administrator. This privilege has allowed me to hear and understand the needs of the community, because I've been there. This is not simply policy for me," she adds. "This is personal."

Thurman joined the staff of AID Atlanta, which has provided service and support for people with AIDS since 1982, as Director of Public Affairs in 1988. In 1989 she became the agency's executive director, and served until 1993, when she left for the Carter Center to become Director of Advocacy Programs for the Task Force for Child Survival and Development. She currently serves as a White House appointee to the United States Information Agency, in the role of Director of Citizen Exchange.

This was received from AID Atlanta, 1438 West Peachtree St NW ,Ste 100, Atlanta 30309.

Contact:

Mark King, Director of Education and Communications
(404) 872-0600 ext. 215
kingm@aidatlanta.org