Now is the time for strong leadership. USA Today and other news organizations reported that the Bush Administration would close the two offices, transferring their responsibilities to other departments. White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said the Office of National AIDS Policy, which focused on the AIDS epidemic in the United States and abroad, would be replaced by an AIDS coordinator within the Domestic Policy Council. He also said the Office on the President's Initiative for One America would be dissolved and, instead, the Office of Public Liaison would handle the issue of race relations. The need for presidential leadership is clear and urgent.
Discrimination continues to be a serious problem for America.
At-Large Mandy Carter of North Carolina, former National Field Director for the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. Gloria Nieto of New Mexico, Vice Chair of the Caucus and Executive Director of the People of Color AIDS Foundation, joined in the statement decrying the Bush Administration's reported intentions.