Resolution urges support for AIDS fight

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona have joined a worldwide effort.

Across the world, more than 22 million people have died from AIDS, and more than 15,000 people are affected with HIV everyday.

Although the U.S. spends more than $1 billion on the education and control of the virus, the amount is far from enough, said Adam Taylor, creator of the Students' Global AIDS Campaign, which is trying to broaden awareness and support for AIDS.

And the ASUA senators agree.

The student senators passed a resolution last week in support of calling on Arizona lawmakers to gain support in the fight against AIDS, a day before their terms came to an end. The senators hope lawmakers will allocate additional funds for the education and intervention of AIDS through the world, but especially in Africa.

AIDS, along with tuberculosis and malaria, kills more than 5 million people every year on the African continent.

The resolution also asks that a larger portion of funds be allotted to the Global Fund, a group created almost three years ago to relay information and resources about AIDS, in order to reduce infection.

The Global Fund hopes the U.S. will spend $3.5 billion for AIDS research and control of the virus. They plan to ask Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl and Representative Jim Kolbe to push for the increased funds, Taylor said.

UA is now among 200 universities across that country that formally support the resolution, Taylor said.

Taylor and the ASUA senators will take the item to Arizona lawmakers to show their backing of the issue.

"Young people are really going to turn this issue around," Taylor said. "UA students may feel worlds away from the issue, but it is crucial that they take part (in the effort).

"The main thing is to educate students in Tucson about the crisis of AIDS around the world and in Africa," he said. "The other goal is political change."

Although Taylor already gathered support from across the country, Tucson was an important step in reaching key legislators, he said. Kolbe is chair of the appropriations subcommittee on foreign relations, which heavily influences how government money is spent.

"(Kolbe) is the most powerful player," he said.

Some ASUA senators voiced concerns about passing a resolution stating their opinion on a controversial issue like AIDS.

"I don't think we have a right to have a stance on this issue," said former ASUA Senator Daniel Suh.

Others worried that even with the increase in funding, the money would not go to the people who are most in need.

"There are other diseases that · hit closer to home," said former student senator Will Harris.

"The purpose of the money is to treat and prevent AIDS," said former student senator Scott Cheney. "Any increase (in funding) can affect people."

When Taylor first proposed the resolution to the student senate, most senators disagreed with the resolution because it stated an exact number that Congress should spend to battle the disease, Cheney said.

"They toned it down and we realized that AIDS is a huge epidemic and this is a wonderful program," Cheney said.

Taylor became passionate about AIDS when he saw the crisis firsthand during a visit to Africa.

"I saw how essential this issue was to us," Taylor said. "I came to the States, made a few presentations and tons of students asked what they could do."

Three years ago Taylor began the Student Global AIDS campaign. Since then, he has worked to build public awareness in Africa.

With the campaign, Taylor and other students have broadened awareness on campuses about AIDS and encouraged policymakers to raise money to fight the disease.

And so far, so good, Taylor said.

"It's just incredible how fast this campaign has grown," he said. "A lot of lawmakers have changed their positions."