Global Action for Children Applauds Global AIDS Law
National Grassroots Coalition Calls on Presidential Candidates to Make Orphans a Priority
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Leila Nimatallah
301.922.9196
lnimatallah@globalactionforchildren.org
Catherine Goode
202.812.1899
Washington, DC - Today, Global Action for Children (GAC) applauds President Bush’s signing into law the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 5501). “President Bush’s signing the Global AIDS bill into law today is a tremendous victory for orphans worldwide,” stated Jennifer Delaney, GAC’s Executive Director. “We applaud the President’s support, and we call on both presidential candidates to continue U.S. leadership to help children worldwide.”
GAC is working to ensure both U.S. presidential candidates continue to make orphans a top policy priority in 2009. Ms. Delaney stated, “GAC briefed both Senator McCain and Senator Obama’s staff on the bill and we appreciate their co-sponsorship of the legislation. The longstanding, bipartisan popularity of this effort is by no means a surprise; helping orphans and vulnerable children, no matter where they live in the world, is a mission that resonates deeply with all Americans.”
GAC represents a diverse coalition of charitable, faith-based, nongovernmental and student stakeholders specifically on policy toward U.S. funding for orphans. Ms. Delaney explained, “GAC’s broad-based membership and extensive grassroots networks allowed us to speak with a united voice to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Our members feel strongly that the Global AIDS legislation is an effective use of taxpayer dollars.”
Ms. Delaney stated, “We thank Senators Biden, Lugar, Reid and members of Congress for their leadership to send the message of American support for orphans and vulnerable children to the international community.” GAC worked with members of Congress to structure the legislation to ensure that 10% of funding is channeled to assist orphans. “By directing the funding flow, the legislation streamlines the bureaucracy and ensures more bang for each tax dollar spent on those at most risk, and often left behind in global policy arena: orphans and vulnerable children,” said Ms. Delaney.
The legislation increases U.S. funding directed to orphans specifically to approximately $3 billion dollars. According to Ms. Delaney, “The legislation provides funding to help five million orphans for the period from 2009-2013, nearly double the current number of orphans covered.”
Ms. Angelina Jolie serves as the honorary chairperson of GAC’s Board. Ms. Delaney added, “With her support, GAC advocates for U.S. funding for orphans as well as the communities that care for them in the developing world. We look forward to continuing the global fight against AIDS, TB, Malaria and other diseases, one child at a time.”
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About GAC. Global Action for Children is a nonpartisan, results-oriented coalition dedicated to advocating for orphans and highly vulnerable children in the developing world. GAC works to increase funding and ensure it is spent effectively so all children have the health care, education, food, and protection they need to grow up safe and healthy. Global Action for Children’s unique strength comes from the diversity of charitable, faith-based, nongovernmental, and student organizations that comprise the coalition, and its ability to mobilize a broad range of constituencies in support of advocacy for highly vulnerable children.
