Los Angeles -- Congressman Xavier Becerra (D - Los Angeles) will be the keynote speaker at Activate! U.: Educating, Training & Activating You, AIDS Project Los Angeles’ annual skills-building and grassroots advocacy workshop on Saturday, March 11, 2000. The workshop will include information on advocating effectively with government decision makers in the policy-making process.

Participants will learn about the legislative process, as well as key policy issues relating to HIV and AIDS. Sessions will cover how a bill becomes a law, how to advocate before elected officials and other policymakers, and a variety of other skills vital to building coalitions and collective strategies, developing action networks and communicating for positive change at all levels of government. Activate! U. has trained over 1,500 advocates throughout the nation through fun, interactive workshops.

"I am very pleased that Congressman Becerra has agreed to speak at this year’s workshop," said Herb K. Schultz, APLA’s Director of Government Affairs. "He is indeed an advocate for the HIV/AIDS community and his insights about the legislative process will be an invaluable addition to this year’s workshop."

In addition to skills-building sessions, this year’s workshop will focus on issues relating to reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. It is essential that the CARE Act, which expires on September 30, be reauthorized this year.

Activate! U. will be held at APLA, 1313 N. Vine St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and includes breakfast, lunch and a manual. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. For information on registration, call Rick Louis at (323) 993-1378 or e-mail at:mailto:rlouis@apla.org . AIDS Project Los Angeles, a non-profit community-based organization, provides direct services to more than 8,000 women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County. Services include a food bank, professional dental care, housing assistance, child care, transportation, mental health counseling, case management, home health care and Adult and Child Buddy support. APLA also provides extensive treatment and prevention education and advocacy on local, state and federal AIDS-related legislation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Russo-Okamoto (323) 993-1363 or Jeff Okey (323) 993-1627