BUSINESS WIRE - 44 Montgomery St, 39th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104; Tel: (415) 986-4422; FAX: (415) 788-5335 - Thursday, 3 October 1996
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 1996--A historic milestone was reached today with the passage of The AIDS Memorial Grove Act, part of the National Parks Bill, for the millions of Americans whose lives have been touched by the scourge of AIDS.
This legislation, introduced into Congress by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), designates the AIDS Memorial Grove (AMG), a 15-acre wooded dell in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, a national memorial to the tragedy of AIDS.
Explained Kerry Enright, executive director (AMG): "Thousands of visitors from around the United States and from around the world have journeyed here to grieve openly without being stigmatized and to experience the feelings of renewal and hope inspired by nature. This is not just a place for mourning; it is a living and breathing space where people can experience the pathos of AIDS."
Added Enright: "The designation of the AMG as a national landmark will not only help to raise awareness of the enormous national toll which the AIDS crisis has exacted, but it will also inform people that there is a dedicated place in the public landscape that answers a legitimate, desperate need."
The AIDS Memorial Grove was conceived in 1989 by a group of San Franciscans who were bereft over the loss of a colleague to AIDS. With little more than a sheer sense of purpose, the group began the task of building their dream. Through word of mouth, the Grove initiative spread, and so did the ranks of volunteers who pooled their talents to move the project forward.
Hundreds of volunteers donate their time to assist at monthly Grove "Workdays" clearing the land, planting new growth and participating in the landscape design process. Today the Grove is nearly two-thirds completed, thanks to over $1 million in individual and corporate donations and ongoing volunteer support.
Along the way visitors can enjoy a quiet moment of remembrance at the Circle of Friends, a flagstone circle inscribed with names of people whose lives have been touched by AIDS. When completed, the Circle of Friends will feature 2,200 names and will have raised $2 million for the perpetual care of the Grove. Space is still available for a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 per individual name.
The Grove is scheduled for completion in December 1997.
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CONTACT: The AIDS Memorial Grove Kerry Enright, 415/750-8340 415/661-3548 (h) or MediaWorks Phil Siegel, 415/550-1650 Lisa Klinck-Shea, 415/922-0413
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Copyright © 1996 - Business Wire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Business Wire, Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854. http://www.businesswire.com.
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