AIDS Action Weekly Update

• This Week in Washington
  • Frist, Helms Seek $500 Million for Global Fund
  • Dr. Martin Is Keynote at Harlem Director's Group
  • AIDS Watch Set for June 9-11, 2002 -- AIDS Action National Partner
  • Secretary Thompson Recognizes "World TB Day"
  • USCA Call for Abstracts -- AIDS Action National Partner
  • Take Action!
• In the News
  • President Nominates NIH Director and Surgeon's General
  • Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in Maryland
  • AIDS Action Board Member Highlight

This Week in Washington

Frist, Helms Seek $500 Million for Global Fund

On Sunday March 24, Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) along with Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) announced their plan to offer an amendment to add $500 million to the U.S. Agency to International Development's programs for HIV/AIDS in the FY 2002 supplemental appropriations request. Senator Helms made it clear that his intent was to address mother-to-child transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. While AIDS Action welcomed a new leader in the fight to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Executive Director Marsha Martin reminded Senator Helms of the epidemic within the United States and in his home state of North Carolina, that went unnoticed by Senator Helms in 20 of his 29 years in the US Senate.

AIDS will remain a factor in our lives until all communities own the responsibility of protecting those at-risk with accurate prevention information by talking about sexual health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. Ending mother-to-child transmission will make a significant impact on the epidemic but will not end the struggle. A comprehensive strategy that includes open and honest dialogue about AIDS, prevention education messages, obtainable medication and effective vaccine research is needed. To get a copy of the press release, please contact: nstephens@aidsaction.org.

Dr. Martin Is Keynote at Harlem Director's Group

On Tuesday March 26, AIDS Action Executive Director Dr. Marsha Martin addressed the Sixth Annual Legislative Breakfast of Harlem Director's Group (HDG) regarding "How Do We Make Public Officials Accountable for Securing Resources for Communities of Color in This Time of Crisis." HDG is an organization consortium of community-based organizations and decision-makers representing Harlem and Upper Manhattan agencies and institutions that promote the well being of residents impacted by HIV/AIDS. Dr. Martin addressed the need for improved coordination and communication between the White House, Congress, community and faith based organizations, and other HIV/AIDS service organizations to be effective in the fight against HIV/AIDS. To learn more about the Harlem Directors' Group: http://www.hdgonline.org.

AIDS Watch Set for June 9-11, 2002 -- AIDS Action National Partner

AIDS Action, in partnership with the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), is please to announce that AIDS Watch 2002, the annual HIV/AIDS grassroots advocacy event is scheduled to take place June 9-11, 2002 in Washington, D.C.

AIDS Watch 2002 will include a day of education and advocacy training sessions followed by two days of visits with members of Congress, congressional staff and Administration officials. Participants will highlight the need for increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs, as well as advocate for policies impacting those persons at-risk or living with HIV/AIDS. To learn more about AIDS Watch 2002 or to register on-line go to: http://www.napwa.org/pubdocs/aidswatchreg.htm.

Secretary Thompson Recognizes "World TB Day"

On Sunday March 24, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson renewed the commitment of the Administration to the fight against Tuberculosis (TB). Worldwide, 2 million people die from TB each year and more than one-third of the world's population is currently infected with the bacteria that cause TB. The United States leads the world in contributions with, $500 million, to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. To read Secretary Thompson's Press release: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020322.html.

USCA Call for Abstracts -- AIDS Action National Partner

As a partnering organization of the U.S. Conference on AIDS, AIDS Action is reminding its members that the call for abstracts is open until April 8, 2002. Abstracts can be submitted electronically or via mail to the National Minority AIDS Council. The abstracts can be in the areas of Care/Primary Care, Executive Director Leadership, Fundraising and Finance, Public Policy, Housing, International HIV/AIDS, Prevention, Treatment and Research, Nutrition and Special Issues. Presentation formats for this year are workshops, seminars, roundtable discussions and poster sessions. If your abstract is accepted by the conference Planning Committee, you may be offered a free conference registration.

Take Action!

Congress is in recess until April 5, 2002. The Members will be in their home districts and will not return to Capitol Hill until Monday, April 8. AIDS Action encourages its members to call or visit their representatives during the Spring District Work Period to discuss the importance of their work, share success stories and challenges faced by your organization. Remember, 2002 is an election year and now, more than ever, Congressional Representatives are seeking the input of their constituents/voters. If they have been supportive of AIDS issues, thank them for their work. If there is more they could to do assist your efforts to serve those in need, inform them of what your organizations and other organizations like yours need to be successful. The challenges facing our nation are staggering but with strong leadership, communication and cooperation between Congress, community and faith based organizations, and other HIV/AIDS service organizations, life can be made safer for people at risk and better for people living with HIV/AIDS. If you do not know your representative or how to contact them, you can visit the AIDS Action Legislative Action Center: http://www.aidsaction.org.

In the News

President Nominates NIH Director and Surgeon General

The Washington Post is reporting that after nearly two years of not having an official Director, President Bush has nominated Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni to head the National Institutes of Health. In the same ceremony, the President also announced his nomination of Dr. Richard H. Carmona to become the next US Surgeon General. Dr. Zerhouni is currently an administrator at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center where he has been a lead researcher and a supporter of President Bush's restrictions on stem cell research. Carmona, who's career has largely sidestepped matters of reproductive health and other polarizing issues, is not as well known to the advocacy community. AIDS Action will be working with Senate leadership during the confirmation process to ensure that these nominations are in the best interest of the public health community. To read the entire article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19703-2002Mar26.html.

Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in Maryland

On Tuesday, March 26, The Washington Post reported that the Maryland House of Delegates' passed a bill (80 to 56) that would reduce the penalty for patients using marijuana to ease the suffering caused by cancer, AIDS and other diseases. Under the measure, if defendants can prove to a judge or jury that they used marijuana exclusively for medical reasons, they would be subject to a $100 fine, instead of the current penalty -- a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. The bill will now move to the Maryland Senate, where such provisions have not been well received in the past. To read the entire article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16895-2002Mar25.html.

AIDS Action Board Member Highlight

The AIDS Action Council Board of Directors consists of local HIV/AIDS service providers throughout the United States. Each week, the Update will highlight one of these service providers and the work they are doing to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their region.

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), founded in 1982, is one of the nation's largest AIDS service organizations, provides direct services to more than 10,000 individuals living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County, California. Services include prevention education, a food bank, dental care, housing assistance, mental health counseling, women's services and case management. APLA also offers bilingual HIV treatment information, in print and on the Internet. More than just a service provider, APLA is a leader in advocating for effective AIDS-related policies and legislation on the local, state and federal level. To learn more about APLA: http://www.apla.org.