STATEMENT OF SENATOR PATRICK LEAHYON VICE PRESIDENT GORE'S ANNOUNCEMENTOF PROPOSED INCREASED FUNDING FOR COUNTERING HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA

January 10, 2000

"I applaud the Vice President's announcement of an additional $100 million to combat HIV/AIDS and a $50 million contribution to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

"AIDS is ravaging an entire generation in Africa, and Asia is not far behind. HIV/AIDS knows no national borders, and Americans are increasingly at risk. I am confident that the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, which is the main source of funding for international health, will want to support this request. I also applaud the contribution to the GAVI, since this is the first time that governments and the private sector have joined together in a global initiative to combat infectious diseases. The Foreign Operations Subcommittee has already planned a hearing on funding for the GAVI in April."

[Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is Ranking Member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which will have jurisdiction over the AIDS in Africa funding request. Leahy led efforts to boost funding for Africa HIV/AIDS efforts in the Fiscal Year 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which was enacted as part of the budget package signed into law by the President on Nov. 29.]