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The U.S. Government has
demonstrated bold
leadership in the fight
against global disease.
In 2003, President Bush
announced a historic
commitment of $15
billion over five years
to fight HIV and AIDS in
countries hardest hit by
the pandemic. This
plan, known as the
President’s Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),
has produced impressive
results: more than 1.4
million lives saved,
care provided for more
than 6.6 million persons
infected or affected by
HIV/AIDS (including 2.7
million orphans and
vulnerable children),
and counseling and
testing provided for
more than 33 million,
including 10 million
pregnant women.
Still, need
throughout the world is
great. It is estimated
that at least 16 million
additional persons will
be in need of treatment
by 2013, more than 15
million children will be
orphaned by AIDS in
sub-Saharan Africa
alone, and more than 2.5
million people will be
newly infected each
year.
This year Congress
must reauthorize PEPFAR
for the next five years.
In April, the House of
Representatives passed a
robust, bipartisan bill
that expands our
nation’s response to
AIDS, tuberculosis and
malaria with a $50
billion commitment over
the next five years.
This bill has bipartisan
support in the Senate,
but several Senators
continue to block its
consideration.
Take action
today! Call your
Senators and urge their
support of the S. 2731,
the Global AIDS
Reauthorization Act of
2008.
Step 1:
Call the Capitol
switchboard at 202. 224.
3121 and ask to be
connected to your
Senator’s office. (If
you don’t know who your
Senators are, you can
look them up at
www.senate.gov)
Step 2:
The receptionist will
answer. Introduce
yourself as (your name)
a constituent from
(city, state).
Here is a helpful
script:
“I am calling today
to urge Senator________
to support immediate
Senate consideration of
S. 2731, the 2008 Global
AIDS reauthorization
bill. Our Government’s
effort to fight deadly
disease in the world
through PEPFAR is saving
lives and is helping to
restore America’s image
throughout the world. I
urge Senator ___________
to support the $50
billion reauthorization
of the Global AIDS
bill. Do you know the
Senator’s position on
this bill?”
Request a written
response from the
Senator on his/her
position on the bill. Be
sure to leave your full
name and address with
the receptionist and
thank him or her when
you are finished.
Step 3:
Let us know how the call
went. E-mail
kim.stietz@elca.org
with an update so that
we can follow up with
your Senator’s staff in
Washington if necessary.
Thank you for
taking action! Every
call to a Congressional
office is tallied,
recorded and reported to
the Member of Congress.
Your voice truly makes a
difference!
Senators who are
co-sponsors of this bill
include: Biden
(D-DE), Lugar (R-IN),
Obama (D-IL), McCain
(R-AZ), Dodd (D-CT),
Hagel (R-NE), Kerry
(D-MA), Snowe (R-ME),
Durbin (D-IL), Kennedy
(D-MA), Smith (R-OR),
Levin (D-MI) and Sununu
(R-NH)
Senators who
are blocking
consideration of the
bill include:
DeMint (R-SC), Kyl
(R-AZ), Vitter (R-LO),
Chambliss (R-GA),
Sessions (R-AL), Burr
(R-NC) and Bunning
(R-KY) |
