President Bush Signing PEPFAR Today
July 30th, 2008 at 2:45 pm | posted by Tom Hart, Dir. US Government RelationsPresident Bush is signing PEPFAR at an event at the White House today. This is a bill that will provide $48 Billion in funding in the global fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria for the next 5 years.
ONE’s Legislative Director Tom Hart sent in this post right after arriving at the signing event:
I’m sitting in the East Room of the White House, with its 3 massive chandaliers and gold trim, as the president signs a nearly $50b reauthorization of PEPFAR. I feel like this room couldn’t be big enough to hold all the support this effort has, especially from ONE members around the country. In DC, we read every day of conflict, partisan bickering and good things stalled. Not today. Republicans, Democrats, Congress, the White House - all found a reason to work together and get this lifesaving initiative done.
As I filed through one of the holding rooms prior to the event, I ran into ONE’s old friend, Agnes from Uganda. What a surprise. The President invited her to this ceremony as one of his “special guests”. Agnes works for this amazing organization in Uganda named TASO, where PEPFAR has supported many many people on ARVs. Agnes is also HIV+, making the signing of this bill all the more meaningful. In fact, the rest of the pomp and glitz don’t really matter…it’s really about Agnes and the millions of others this bill has touched and will over the next 5 years.
-Tom Hart
July 30th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Thanks Tom for your first-hand report from the PEPFAR signing at the White House. As ONE of those people who was there at the beginnings of the PEPFAR program, I am very happy that you were at the White House signing today.
I must admit that even though we must always regard each other as equals in our movement to make AIDS & extreme poverty history, I do feel privileged to be advocating for programs that you and others at DATA first put forth to the U.S. government over five years ago which have blossomed into PEPFAR, the MCC and other programs to make AIDS and extreme poverty history.
With all of you in our midst, we will continue to win victories for the world’s poorest people.
ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie
PS:
I loved your delight upon meeting Agnes again. I’m sure that the admiration is mutual. ~
Here are some related links to this post:
www.tasouganda.org
www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 30th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
As a Canadian who was refused entry to the US Nov 11 2007 and who has actively campaigned to see this bill and it’s travel ban amendment signed I am thrilled and thank you for reporting this as once again it appeared to have gotten lost in the mass media.
My story can be seen on my website - www.martinstorm.com and I also created a facebook group North Americans against the HIV travel ban -
Once again - this is a great day as a HIV + person - yer another form of discrimination off hte books and assistance for those less well off and more ill than I.
Martin Rooney
Surrey BC Canada
July 30th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Tom:
I am very glad that you were there for the signing of this bill. I know that our Brother sand Sisters that have HIV/Aids will be so happy that money will be forth coming to assist them with their daily battle with their situations. Thank God our leaders in our goverment are working together to fight this problem facing all of us. Let’s keep working TOGETHER and defeat all situation which we as a UNITED NATION faces daily.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Martin, I’m sorry that you suffered at the hands of an outdated U.S. policy which is now history.
We are lucky to have you as a ONE supporter. Please come back to the USA!
LIVING POSITIVELY, debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Debbie,
As soon as I know I can re enter I will be back on a regular basis!
Thanks
Martin