At the Saddleback Civil Forum
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UPDATE: Here’s a video of some highlights from the forum.
This morning I was lucky enough to get to go to the Saddleback Civil Forum here in DC on behalf of ONE. I only found out about this event late Sunday, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I am very glad I got to go, because today was a great day in the fight against AIDS around the globe.
The event was hosted by Pastor Rick Warren (you may know him as the man who wrote A Purpose Driven Life) and was in honor of all that President Bush has done over the course of his Administration to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS. President Bush received the first ever “International Medal of PEACE” from the Global PEACE Coalition for his unprecedented contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. As Pastor Warren, Ban Ki-moon, Tony Blair, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton all said today (in person or in video messages sent from around the world), President Bush has done more than any world leader on these issues, ever.
President Bush was quick to point out that the credit goes to the people who also have a heart for this work and inspired this program, among them Condoleezza Rice and Mike Gerson. The President also credited the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to make sure PEPFAR is run well and ensure the program’s success, among them PEPFAR’s Coordinator, Mark Dybul. President Bush asked Mark Dybul to stand and be recognized at the event, and I don’t think Dybul would’ve done so if anyone but the President asked; he’s clearly happier being the man behind the scenes who makes sure everything is running right.
PEPFAR is a huge program, and a huge success. There is certainly much credit to go around, and much work left to do. Today, on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, it’s important to celebrate the progress we’ve made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to recommit ourselves to the challenges that still lie before us. President-elect Obama sent a video message echoing his own commitments to fight HIV/AIDS, which he often repeated on the campaign trail. In an event honoring what’s been accomplished in the current president’s Administration, it was a great end to the Saddleback Civil Forum to look to the future and see the next president pledging to continue this great program and America’s lifesaving work.
-Kimberly Cadena
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December 1, 2008 at 9:52 pm
excellent. thank you president bush.
December 2, 2008 at 3:16 am
the great information coming out of both Saddleback Civil Forums and Willow Creek Association have been an amazing boost to the faith in action divisions of ONE, RESULTS, and other faith-based and non-faith-based advocacy ngo’s that we work among. these two organizations also are great at promoting and bringing out the best in everyone, and celebrating the progress and accomplishments that have been made. everyone wins.
so glad you got to go Kimberly, and thanx for posting to us about it.
stay close,
sammi =)
December 3, 2008 at 4:23 am
Not everyone wins sammi. I wish it were so. When my tax dollars are shipped over seas, I loose. Other Americans loose. I’d prefer our tax dollars were spent here in the U.S.A., taking care of what we need to take care of here first. I’m happy to give to charity. I’m not happy about my tax dollars supporting other nations. This isn’t charity.
December 3, 2008 at 9:21 am
How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!
December 3, 2008 at 7:53 pm
That’s really not possible to say. There are too many aspects that come into play and it’s too early to tell yet.
December 24, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Is there any information about this subject in other languages?
March 23, 2009 at 9:16 am
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