AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES SPONSORS RESOLUTION
SEVERAL DOZEN COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS CO-SPONSOR MEASURE
Los Angeles -- Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 47, calling on Congress to expeditiously reauthorize the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, unanimously passed the State Assembly yesterday.
The CARE Act expires on September 30, 2000, and Congress is currently reviewing reauthorization legislation. State and local governments as well as hundreds of AIDS service and community-based organizations across the country receive CARE Act funds to ensure the delivery of vital medical care, treatment and social services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Assembly Member Gilbert Cedillo (D - Los Angeles) introduced AJR 47 and led the efforts for its passage in the Assembly. The resolution will now move on to the State Senate where Senators Kevin Murray (D - Los Angeles) and Martha Escutia (D - Los Angeles) have joined the effort as principal Senate co-authors. The resolution is sponsored by AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), and co-sponsored by several dozen community organizations.
Joining Assembly Member Cedillo and Senators Murray and Escutia are the following legislative co-authors: Assembly members Thomas Calderon (D - Montebello), Wally Knox (D - Los Angeles), Carole Migden (D - San Francisco), Fred Keeley (D - Boulder Creek), Jack Scott (D - Altadena), Anthony Pescetti (R - Rancho Cordova), Kerry Mazzoni (D - Novato), Susan Davis (D - San Diego), Virginia Strom-Martin (D - Duncan Mills), Sheila James Kuehl (D - Santa Monica), Darrell Steinberg (D - Sacramento), John Longville (D - Rialto), Jim Cunneen (R - Cupertino), Mike Honda (D-San Jose), Howard Wayne (D-San Diego), Bill Leonard (R-San Bernadino), Carl Washington (D-Paramount), Audie Bock (D-Piedmont), Marco Firebaugh (D - East Los Angeles), Sally Havice (D-Cerritos), and Senators Richard Alarcón (D - Sylmar), John Vasconcellos (D - Santa Clara), Jim Costa (D - Fresno), Nell Soto (D-Pomona), Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), and Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto).
"The California Legislature is well on its way to sending a powerful message to Congress about the urgent need to reauthorize the CARE Act," said Craig E. Thompson, APLA executive director. Thompson further noted "The Assembly's 75-0 vote demonstrates the broad bi-partisan support for reauthorization of this vitally important federal law."
Since its inception in 1990, the Ryan White CARE Act has provided a critical safety net for low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals. The resources provided by the Ryan White CARE Act have ensured the delivery of vital medical care and treatment as well as essential support services to tens of thousands of Californians and hundreds of thousands of individuals across the United States.
"APLA believes that legislative consideration of this initiative has provided an excellent opportunity for consumers of services, AIDS service and community-based organizations, providers, elected officials, government agencies and others across the state to work together toward the common goal of reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act," emphasized Thompson.
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