AFC led a delegation of nearly 30 Illinoisans to Washington, DC in May to participate in two days of constituent lobbying in support of increased funding for AIDS-related programs. The national event, known as AIDSWatch, is the largest annual lobbying and advocacy event for Americans living with HIV/AIDS. During the event, AFC coordinated 20 meetings between Illinois constituents and their elected officials and/or senior staff. Participants spoke about their experiences living with HIV/AIDS and pressed for continued and expanded federal support for the fight against AIDS.

Following AIDSWatch, AFC's Federal Affairs Manager Kaethe Morris Hoffer assisted Illinois Congressmen Rod Blagojevich and John Shimkus in preparing a "dear colleague" letter from the Illinois congressional delegation to leaders of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. The letter urges appropriators to approve substantial funding increases for AIDS prevention, care, and research programs, substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, and the Congressional Black Caucus' Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative. By contrast, President Bush's funding request to Congress seeks virtually no increases for domestic AIDS programs. The letter was signed by Representatives Rod Blagojevich, Judy Biggert, Jerry Costello, Danny Davis, Lane Evans, Luis Gutierrez, Mark Kirk, William Lipinski, Donald Manzullo, David Phelps, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky, John Shimkus, and Jerry Weller. Our thanks to them all, and a special thanks to Congressmen Blagojevich and Shimkus for leading the effort.