CDC Authorizes Use of Federal ‘Cooperative Agreement’ Funds for AIDS Advocates to Attend ‘Skills-Building’ Conference

Dr. David Holtgrave of the CDC sent a letter to AIDS advocates nationwide authorizing the use of federal HIV prevention funds to attend the 2001 "Capacity Building for HIV Prevention" conference in Atlanta, Ga., from April 1-5, the Washington Times reports. "Your cooperative agreement funds may be used to support travel, lodging, per diem expenses and registration fees," Holtgrave wrote in the letter to AIDS groups receiving federal prevention funds (McCaslin, Washington Times, 3/12). The letter comes at a time when many AIDS advocates are "furious" over proposed cuts by the Bush administration to the prevention HIV budget. Dr. Helene Gayle of the CDC said that the conference, which is "capped by a disco," is a way for "community-based organizations to build skills" (Bedard, U.S. News & World Report, 3/19). But Michael Petrelis of the AIDS Accountability Project in San Francisco said that the conference is a "prime example of what AIDS-accountability activists label 'the AIDS gravy train.'" Petrelis added, "Nice to know CDC funds expenses for AIDS bureaucrats to come to Atlanta for some rest and relaxation under the guise of doing something about AIDS" (Washington Times, 3/12).