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| March 5th, 2007 Statement from AIDS Action Council and Foundation on the passing of veteran AIDS activist and social change leader, including on LGBT issues, Bob Hattoy Attribution: Rebecca Haag, Executive Director and Ronald Johnson, Deputy Executive Director March 5, 2007, Washington, DC – AIDS Action joins the nation in mourning the loss and honoring the life and legacy of veteran AIDS activist and social change leader, including on LGBT issues, Bob Hattoy, who died on Sat., March 3, 2007 in Sacramento, Calif. Bob galvanized the country around HIV/AIDS as a domestic public health priority in 1992 when he spoke courageously at the Democratic National Convention as a person living with AIDS. He spoke at the invitation of then-Presidential candidate and friend Bill Clinton. Bob was honest, firm in his beliefs and held other people and himself accountable. A stalwart vocal leader on AIDS research, treatment and care and HIV prevention and education, Bob served selflessly and with integrity on the White House staff and on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) during the mid 1990s. AIDS Action’s Deputy Executive Director co-served with him on PACHA, and later Bob joined AIDS Action Foundation’s Board of Directors, where his commitment strengthened the Connection to Care Initiative. We consider this pause an opportunity to fortify our efforts to honor the devotion and dedication of Bob, and we urge everyone to be involved in the global fight against AIDS on behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS and those most at risk. |