Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Amazing day!!! Spoke at a Republican leadership lunch at the Senate together with VP Cheney. We were there to promote S-15 (the legislation for BioShield). I was extremely warmly received by the Senators with many complements from Sens. Frist, Hatch, Stevens. I presented my thing and then the VP got up and praised me for my leadership on Project BioShield and made a few comments on the threats. We (Ginger Loper and I) next took the WH limo to the WH for the President’s ceremony on the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, aimed at drumming up support for the legislation for the plan’s funding. The ceremony was supposed to be in the Rose Garden, but was moved to the East Room because of weather. The President was wonderful to me, specifically winking and saying “Hello Tony” as he was scanning the crowd. He then made the comment in his speech to the group that he wanted to specifically thank me for all of my work on behalf of mankind. After the ceremony, he specifically came down to greet people and put his arm around my shoulder and thanked me again for all that I have done. It was a terrific day. April 30-May 1, 2003 – Much effort on my part in working the Congress (briefing Senators and Congressmen and staff) in support of Project BioShield. Clearly the reluctance on the part of the Congress has to do with not wanting to give up the control of the “purse” to a mandatory and indefinite appropriations authority.