Dear NORA Friend:

On behalf of the National Organizations Responding to AIDS (NORA) coalition, we are writing to you to update you on some of the coalition’s recent work. As you know, NORA is a coalition comprised of over 175 health, labor, religious, professional, and advocacy groups that represent a broad consensus on HIV and AIDS related policy, legislation, and funding.

As Congress moves forward in the fiscal year (FY) 2004 Appropriations process, NORA is preparing to release its annual HIV/AIDS Appropriations Recommendations. Each year, in an effort to ensure an appropriate federal response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, NORA assembles and distributes this document, which is based on the needs for HIV/AIDS programs in the upcoming fiscal year as determined by a consensus of NORA members. As a broad based coalition, NORA understands the competing demands made on the federal budget. The AIDS epidemic, however, remains a public health emergency. Appropriate levels of funding for research, care, housing, prevention, training, and substance abuse treatment are necessary to ensure an effective federal response. Look for your copy of the publication in early May.

In addition, the coalition recently appointed a new interim Executive Committee to coordinate the activities of the coalition. The new members of the Committee are George Bellinger, Jr., AIDS Action; Katy Caldwell, The Montrose Clinic; Al Forbes, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition; Ann Pozen, the National Association for Victims of Transfusion Acquired AIDS; and Adele Webb, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.

The NORA coalition and its member organizations look forward to continuing to work with you in the coming year on our areas of common concern. If you have any questions about NORA, please feel free to contact any member of the Executive Committee, or Jessica Tytel, NORA coordinator, at (202) 530-8030 or nora@aidsaction.org.

Sincerely,

The NORA Executive Committee