AIDSWatch 2002: Let Your Voice Be Heard!

AIDSWatch registration is going very well. To date, 360 registrations from throughout the United States have been received at the AIDSWatch office -- with more arriving every day. Over 40 regional coordinators are working to recruit additional participants and schedule hundreds of AIDSWatch advocacy appointments.

Though it is terrific that so many people have registered for AIDSWatch, there is still much work to be done. The war on terrorism, coupled with competing domestic spending priorities, makes the FY 2003 appropriations process one of the most challenging since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Strong grassroots participation in AIDSWatch can have a significant impact on the appropriations process.

While all members of Congress play an important role in the appropriations process, among the most important Senators and Representatives to reach during AIDSWatch are the members of the appropriations subcommittees on health and human services. A strong showing from the following states is key to reaching the members of these important subcommittees:

Alaska* California Connecticut* Florida Hawaii* Idaho* Illinois Iowa* Kentucky* Louisiana* Maryland Mississippi* Nevada* New Hampshire* New York Ohio Oklahoma* Pennsylvania* Rhode Island* South Carolina* Texas* Washington West Virginia* Wisconsin*

Your efforts to help identify additional participants from these states will help ensure the success of AIDSWatch. Those states marked with an * do not yet have a significant number of participants. You can get additional information about AIDSWatch by calling Darin Johnson at AIDS Action at 202-530-8030 x3024 or e-mailing djohnson@aidsaction.org.

Registration information is also available at www.aidsaction.org. The deadline for registration is May 28.

Thanks for your support of AIDSWatch 2002. We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. June 9-11, 2002.