Tampa, FL – Florida AIDS Action (FLAA) joins AIDS advocates across the world in commending President Bush for his continued commitment towards ending the global AIDS crisis through support of H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Act Against HIV/AIDS Act of 2003.

In a presentation made yesterday from the White House, Bush urged Congress to pass H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Act Against HIV/AIDS Act of 2003, a bill crafted to meet the provisions Bush detailed in his historical State of the Union Address earlier this year. According to Bush, the United States is committing to fight the burgeoning global AIDS crisis through an initiative that features $15 billion in federal funding, to be distributed over the next 5 years, and targeting the 14 hardest hit countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

“H.R. 1298 authorizes $3 billion a year to fight global HIV/AIDS, including up to $1 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria,” explains FLAA Executive Director Dr. Gene Copello. “Obviously, we’re thrilled to see the President follow through on his commitment to ending the global AIDS crisis by urging both the House and Senate to pass this desperately needed legislation introduced by Representatives Hyde and Lantos.”

Speaking to a crowd that included Senators, Congressmen, ambassadors and the media, the President detailed that fighting AIDS is “important work… It is a moral imperative for our great nation.” He also explained the urgency behind this legislation by noting that in the three months since announcing his initiative on January 31 of this year:
- An estimated 760,000 persons have died from AIDS
- 1.2 million men, women and children have become infected with HIV
- More than 175,000 babies have been born with the virus that causes AIDS

“The fact that this Bill even exists is a tribute to the efforts of countless AIDS advocates around the world,” explains FLAA Board President Marylin Merida. “We thank the President and ask Congress to pass this bill without adding any amendments to dilute its effectiveness. We know what works in fighting AIDS – we’ve seen the successes in Uganda.” Merida continues, “Now is the time for the United States to help harness these strategies and make them available on a grander scale to the benefit of all persons living with HIV/AIDS.”

Administration experts believe that over the next 10 years, Bush’s emergency plan for AIDS relief will prevent seven million new HIV infections and provide life extending medication to some two million individuals. Additionally, the President hopes the Act will “provide humane care for millions of people suffering with from AIDS – and, as importantly – for children orphaned by AIDS.”

“We join the President in urging other nations to join the United States in this effort as we urge Congress to pass H.R. 1298 as it is written,” details Dr. Copello. “We look to the Administration to provide adequate and appropriate science-based HIV/AIDS funding, programs and services both within and outside our nation’s borders. We will not be able to effectively address AIDS in any one country unless we have the capacity to address the pandemic everywhere.”

For more information on Florida AIDS Action, as well as information on how to become involved in AIDS advocacy work, please contact Florida AIDS Action by phone at: (813) 232-5886, or by email at: information@floridaaidsaction.org

Florida AIDS Action, the only statewide nonprofit HIV/AIDS agency in Florida, promotes social change through community planning, education, public policy research and advocacy. For more information, call (813) 232-5886, or visit on the web at www.floridaaidsaction.org