$100 New Million for Global AIDS: Sign-on Letter to Congress
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
For the first time this decade, the Clinton Administration has proposed
a significant increase for global AIDS programs -- an additional $100
million for AIDS care and prevention work in Africa, Asia and other
affected regions of the world. While the President's commitment to
increased funding is very important, Congress still must approve fund-
ing for this initiative.
Please let Congress know that you support this vital initiative by
signing your organization on to this letter by replying to this email;
and by sending your own letter to one or more of the Members of Con-
gress; or by calling your Member of Congress (US Capitol Switchboard:
+1-202-224-3121) and voicing your support for this initiative.
Time is urgent; the deadline for the sign-on letter is COB Wednesday,
September 15, 1999 - so please act quickly.
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September 9, 1999
Honorable___________
US House of Representatives/ US Senate
Washington, DC 20515/10, USA
Dear Senator/ Representative_____________:
We the undersigned advocates for global AIDS prevention and care urge
you to support the Administration's request that an additional $100
million be allocated to global AIDS prevention and care programs in Af-
rica, Asia and other affected regions of the world this coming fiscal
year.
You know the arithmetic of the global AIDS epidemic:
- That more than 7,000 children and youth become infected with HIV
every day -- 5 every minute. And the numbers keep growing.
- That about 35 million people now have HIV; far more than the combined
population of Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Kentucky.
- That HIV/AIDS is now the world's leading infectious disease killer,
and the number one overall killer in Africa.
- That entire militaries are being consumed by HIV/AIDS; over 50% of
soldiers in the Central African Republic are HIV-positive.
- That TB is unleashed by HIV infection, which is largely responsible
for today's TB epidemic; TB accounts for 40% of AIDS deaths in Africa
and Asia.
- That economies are being decimated by HIV; by 2005, Kenya's GNP will
be 14.5% smaller -- International corporations are now hiring two
employees for one skilled job in highly infected countries.
- That by 2010, 40 million children will be orphaned in Africa, mostly
due to AIDS.
We are aware of the budget pressures you are facing, but this truly
constitutes a global public health emergency. The $100 million will be
used to care for children orphaned by AIDS, provide home and community-
based care, work with militaries abroad, contain the epidemic through
prevention programs, and strengthen health care delivery infrastruc-
ture.
We are counting on your leadership and vision in supporting this des-
perately needed initiative. Thank you for your commitment to building
a world without AIDS.
Sincerely,
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SENATE:
Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AL)
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
Tel: +1-202-224-3954
Tel: +1-202-224-3004
Fax: +1-202-228-0002
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Kim Green
Program Officer
Global AIDS Program
Global Health Council
1701 K St. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006, USA
Tel: +1-202-833-5900
Fax: +1-202-833-0075
mailto:KGREEN@globalhealth.org
mailto:AIDS@globalhealth.org
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