Live Blogging From PEPFAR-Signing at White House
July 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm | posted by Maryamu.AminuONE’s Legislative Deputy Director Maryamu Aminu is sending in live updates from the PEPFAR signing at the White House.
3pm:
-Very exciting atmosphere in the east gold room. They usually have state dinners in here.
-The procession just arrived and are standing on stage. Primary cosponsors: Biden, Berman, Kerry, Payne, Sununu, Brownback, Lugar, Lee, Pence, Dybul, and Enzi.
-People in the room:
Africa diplomatic corps and 15 focus-country ambassadors
Mrs Lantos, for whose husband the bill is named
Malaria coordinator- Anthony Zeimer
The African Children’s Choir
Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS-President and the First Lady just arrived - to applause.
-They’re shaking hands with congressional members.
-Laura Bush offers an introduction. Talks about American pride in this leadership role on fighting global AIDS.
-Everyone is applauding the president
-President Bush welcomes everyone. Recognizes Lantos and Hyde.
-President recognizes Ambassador Mark Dybul for his amazing work implementing PEPFAR and negotiating this new bill, all to thunderous applause from the audience.
3:05 pm
-The President gives his remarks:
-PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any single nation in history to combat a single disease. 1.7 people are on treatment and 7 million are receiving care including children.
-The president says to whom much is given much is expected. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. is spreading hope
3:07 pm:
-He talks about his trip with Laura to Africa and how much appreciation was expressed by Africans in several countries to the American people for PEPFAR.
3:17 pm:
-Tell us this bill will boost bi-lateral and multi lateral assistance to combat AIDS, TB and Malaria.
-Gives a message to people around world with AIDS or whom think they have AIDS- (I’m paraphrasing.)
‘AIDS does not mean death and it should not bring shame. Do not be ashamed to get tested and get treatment Your family cares about you and Americans care about you. ‘
-The president recognizes Agnes from Uganda (yes our Agnes) who lost her husband to AIDS (before PEPFAR) and is receiving treatment from PEPFAR now. Agnes is here at the White House event, in great health and is helping others like her in her community.
-President Bush recognizes Muhammed, another patient he met in Africa this year and who was near death but is on now on PEPFAR treatment and doing great.
3:21 pm:
-Muhammed told the president of his dream to come to the White House, so President invited him for this signing ceremony.
-President Bush thanks the congressional member present and all those who helped to get the bill done. He signs the legislation In memory of Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde - the bill’s original sponsors.
-Ceremony ends.
-We are off to hear drumming singing and dancing of the African Children’s Choir.
-Maryamu Aminu
July 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Thank you very much, Maryamu, for your detailed report from the PEPFAR signing this afternoon from the White House. I simply can’t wait for this program to show up on C-Span or elsewhere so that I can see it.
Superb that the African Children’s Choir was there along with Mr. Peter Piot and, of course, Mrs. Lantos.
Still, as Tom Hart said in the previous ONE Blog post, this event really was not about the glitz & the glamour but simply about the people “on the ground” who are benefitting from PEPFAR. PEPFAR is for Muhammed, Agnes Nyamayarwo, the children of the African Children’s Choir, the people of TASO, the women of the MPWN - and I could go on.
After this amazing, uplifting day, let us recommit ourselves to working more closely AS ONE so that we can continue to magnify the victories that we can gain for our brothers and sisters around the world and make AIDS & extreme poverty history!
Can I get an “AMEN”?
ONE HEART, ONE HOPE, ONE VOICE, ONE LOVE - debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
AMEN.
Debbie, a bit off-topic, you’re really an inspiration with your 900 new ONE member sign ups this year alone!
Very excited about this moment; I SO wish I could see this or be there to hear the choir ….
July 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Signed!!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Thanks Paul for your very kind words. We should all be here to encourage & support each other in our efforts AS ONE.
FYI - the ceremony is up on C-Span!
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE - debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 30th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
What a great achievement, not just for all of us at the ONE Campaign, but for all Americans who often, for justified reasons, are disillusioned by our politics. This is a real, bipartisan, unifying victory. It’s something that will save lives–that’s no hyperbole or cliche. This legislation will keep people alive, build hope, and make our world a little healthier and better. Americans should appreciate and be proud of what’s just been signed in their own names.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Well I just wanted to share with you the response that I got from one of my senators about PEPFAR. I emailed her my thoughts on her voting against PEPFAR and this is what she responded.
Dear Ms. Neira:
Thank you for contacting me regarding financial aid to other nations. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.
The arguments for encouraging democracy, providing humanitarian assistance, and protecting American strategic interests abroad are compelling, but they must be balanced against domestic priorities and the need to control government spending.
Please be assured that I apply rigorous standards to every area of discretionary spending. My support for any foreign aid component will continue to be predicated on its relevance to national security and other important U.S. interests.
I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
November 15th, 2008 at 5:53 am
stavo cercando per informazione stato necessario per cose molto tempo. Grazie!!))