DATA also aims to raise awareness of the importance of democracy, accountability and transparency in African governance to make sure that assistance for African people goes where it's intended and makes a real difference. It recently launched a national public education campaign, "Keep America's Promise," that will last throughout the summer and fall, until the promises to Africa are delivered and fully funded.

President Bush took steps in that direction July 8-12, as he traveled to Africa to promote the promises he's made through the Millennium Challenge Account and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, committing America to help Africa fight the twin crises of AIDS and poverty. But the U.S. Senate is contemplating a reduction in the funds Bush sought for the Millennium accounts to $1 billion from $1.3 billion, and lawmakers in the House say they are likely to reduce the amount Bush has requested for AIDS.

Drummond says of the proposed funding cuts: "It is deeply disappointing that the House turned away from America's promise to Africa by proposing deep cuts in spending promised to fight AIDS and poverty. We call upon Congress and the President to show real leadership in response to the AIDS emergency, an emergency which President Bush all this week is seeing with his own eyes. The next step taken by the House and Senate, with full support from the President, must be to keep their promise to Africa by fully funding the AIDS initiative without cutting other key lifesaving programs."

Drummond concludes, "While the President is holding the hands of people in Africa, he needs to be forcing the hands of people in Congress. This is what the President has asked for, and now the President and the Congress must work together to make good on their promise by delivering the resources that will save millions of lives. Americans know the difference between promises made and promises kept-real leadership means keeping your promise."

Africa has been hit harder by HIV/AIDS than any other region of the world. Over 17 million Africans have died from AIDS, and another 28.1 million are infected with HIV, approximately 1.5 million of whom are children. There are currently 11 million AIDS orphans in Africa, and if action is not taken, there may be more than 25 million AIDS orphans in Africa by the end of this decade.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.datadata.org

To write to your Representative, visit http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Phone:
White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
Senate Switchboard: 202-224-3121
(ask for your senators by name)

Mail:
President Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Your senator
Washington, DC 20510