Washington, DC Examiner: NBLCA hosts a Clergy Day on Capitol Hill

by Candace Y.A. Montague

The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS spent the day on Capitol Hill yesterday. Their purpose was to push for H.R. 1964 Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 to be approved. This push comes during a time when President Obama is making a final pitch for health care reform. NBLCA, which is comprised of mainly clergy members, is concerned that funding cuts, slow economic growth, high rates of unemployment will have the greatest affects on African-Americans. Consequently, the fight against HIV, which has disproportionately affected African-Americans, will suffer.

Yesterday's visit was a testament that NBLCA is determined not to let H.R. 1964 be put on the back shelf in the midst of hard times. H.R. 1964 requests 612 million dollars to

• Provide prevention and testing services
• Expand targeted services for Black women, youth and men who have sex with men
• Study biological and behavioral strategies to reduce transmission
• Provide services for HIV/AIDS affected youth who are separated from their families
• Develop curricula and training for health care professionals with HIV/AIDS expertise

Why must the clergy preserve in getting a legislation passed instead of rallying the African-American community together to take care of themselves? Rev. Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York stated, "We're pushing for congress to pass this legislation while we are also working in the communities. This is a national problem. This impacts all of us across the states. There are those that are getting those resources where the epidemic may not be at the level where it is in our community. So therefore when we see the CDC or Health and Human Services or any of the other federal agencies giving money to fight HIV/AIDS we want to make sure that we get our fair share so that we can do that work that needs to be done. "

NBLCA has support from members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Congresswomen Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) were among the attendees at the press conference. Maxine Waters has been a longtime supporter of funding for prevention and treatment of HIV. In her statement she says, "I am encouraged that the ministers have come here mobilized, educated, and ready to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in our community and in all communities." Yesterday's meeting also received endorsement from a familiar corporate ally. Orasure Technologies was on hand to show their support for the bill to be passed. Vice President of Corporate Communications Ron Ticho explained the role of Orasure on this day. "We are here to help facilitate and support NBLCA which has a clear mission to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic among the African-American communities. That, for our company, is very high priority."

Indeed, for all parties involved, HIV in the African-American community is a high priority.