Date: Thu, 01 Dec 1994 17:21:46 -0500
From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com

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PRESS RELEASE            PRESS RELEASE            PRESS RELEASE

               THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND                    

The Nation's Largest Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Political Group   
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To contact the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND, please call us at     
(202)628-4160, fax us at (202) 347-5323 or write to us at PO Box 
1396  Washington, DC  20013.  WE CANNOT RESPOND TO E-MAIL.  
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     THURSDAY, DEC. 1, 1994 

            VICE PRESIDENT GORE COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY IN
                   LETTER TO HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND

    -- Greeting Read at Candlelight Vigil Outside White House  --

     WASHINGTON --  Vice President Al Gore, in a letter released
today by the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), the largest
national lesbian and gay equal rights organization, commended
"everyone who is fighting so hard on World AIDS Day -- and every
day -- to find a cure for this terrible disease."   The letter
was to be read by HRCF Senior Health Policy Advocate Winnie
Stachelberg at the "HIV & AIDS Unity Vigil," held in Lafayette
Park across from the White House.  

     "Three years ago, AIDS was the third leading cause of death
among Americans 25 to 44 years of age.  Two years ago, it was
second," Gore wrote.  "And early data shows that AIDS is now the
leading cause of death for Americans in that age group -- an age
group that represents over 50% of our workforce.  But as Arthur
Koestler wrote, 'Statistics don't bleed, people do.'"

     Stachelberg worked in the Office of Management and Budget
under Presidents Bush and Clinton before joining HRCF's public
policy staff to advocate for HIV/AIDS and lesbian health issues.

     "We face serious challenges in the next Congress,"
Stachelberg said.  "We must defend the Ryan White AIDS Care Act,
which is the federal government's most important contribution to
helping people living with HIV/AIDS.  We will also be fighting
against tough odds to increase federal funding for research and
prevention programs.  HRCF will be going all out to advance
HIV/AIDS issues at the federal level, through lobbying,
grassroots organizing and our political action committee."

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