July 23

I talked to Allison, our global Regional Coordinator, on Tuesday rather than Wednesday this week because there was a possibility of a conflict with a Diversity Task Force call on Wednesday. As it turned out, the Diversity Task Force conflict is going to be next Wednesday, when I also have a conflict with an Inter-Religious Council meeting on Flood Recovery. I think, since I update the Churches United Flood Recovery web site, that I am going to miss the IRC meeting and be on the DTF call.

PEPFAR Bill:
The Lantos-Hyde HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Reauthorization Act passed the Senate 80-16 with one amendment: rather than $50B, $2B will be directed toward clean water and healthcare for Native American Reservations. Allison thought that money could have been done through a different bill. For me, I'm just glad we have a bill coming out of the Senate! And $2B for health on reservations is a worthy cause. The House is expected to pass the Senate bill and then it will go to the President for his signature. This is a huge increase, and one we should celebrate.

August Congressional Recess:
We need to stay in touch with aides during this time as they will be in contact with our members of Congress during the recess.

Jeff Sachs on Global Conference Call August 9:
Jeff Sachs is an economist who has been at Harvard and is currently with the Columbia Earth Institute. He is an expert in the economics of poverty. This call should be exciting! I have reserved the Library at Christ Church for the domestic and global calls both.