Friday, February 3, 2006

Attended Distinguished Lecture Series at Hilton Hotel with Chris. Lecture by Bono to a crowd of several thousand in the Hilton Ballroom. Bono spoke about his vision, etc. He stopped during the talk to recognize me in the audience as a “hero” of his who has done an enormous amount for global HIV/AIDS, particularly in being the main player working with President Bush in developing PEPFAR. Then several times throughout the speech when he mentioned global health or AID he would look in my direction and mention my name saying something like “I am sure that Tony would agree that….” Bono has been incredibly generous to me in his public recognition of me. He also mentioned that the USA and the world should support his “One Campaign”. Of note, Jenny (Fauci) is a leader among the Harvard students in the One Campaign efforts. Feb. 3 – March 6, 2006 – Continued intensive interest in the potential for an H5N1 pandemic influenza with several media appearances. Also, I testified on March 2, 2006 before the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Operations together with Julie Gerberding, Kent Hill (USAID) and Ambassador Nancy Powell (DoS). Did Diane Rehm show in addition to other media. Spent an 90 minute lunch briefing the Washington, D.C. Bureau of ABC News (particularly George Stephanopoulos’s people) on bird flu.