On December 1st the bleeding disorders community again marks World AIDS Day 2009. As you are all aware, the AIDS pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on families across our community. This year, HFA and the organized bleeding disorders community has chosen to take a proactive step as December 1 approaches. HFA’s office of Public Policy is offering a resolution which addresses blood safety and awareness upon the occasion of World AIDS Day. The experience of our community is one in which these two concerns are intertwined.
The text provided below, marks the passing of community members and raises the need for ongoing vigilance with respect to America’s blood supply. It is our intention in furnishing community members and member organization with this prepared text that you will solicit support for the passage of this measure at the local level in the communities where we live and work.
A PROCLAMATION COMEMERATING 2009 HEMOPHILIA AIDS DAY
Cover Letter to Elected Officials (Proclamation)
In most states the Legislature is not in session currently. If you do live in a state where the legislature is currently sitting, feel free to proposition members of the legislature. However, the primary targets for this action are opinion and political leaders at the local level. Given the relatively short turn-around time, member organizations are likely to enjoy greatest success by focusing on municipal and county officials. Depending on the form of government in your hometown, these officials may be known to you as Mayors and City Councils or a First Selectman and Selectboard at the municipal level and a County Executive and County Legislature at the county level.
Community organizations seeking some kind of proclamation or similar acknowledgement is a common occurrence. Many offices may well have a protocol for soliciting the official or elected body. Should questions arise as you undertake this process please feel free to reach out to HFA’s Office of Public Policy. Steve, Kisa and the entire Federation team are here to serve you.
In solidarity,
Steve May
Hemophilia Federation of America
Director of Public Policy-State Affairs
