Global Health Activist Gives Nod to Dodd

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd has received a boost to his presidential campaign from a prominent member of the global health community. Robert Sargent (Bobby) Shriver III, co-founder and chairman of Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa (DATA), made his endorsement public this week.

“I have been truly impressed with Chris Dodd’s leadership on global health issues,” said Shriver. “His strong support of efforts to provide assistance to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic in developing countries shows his understanding of the importance of this issue.”

Shriver is the son of Eunice Mary Kennedy, who founded the Special Olympics, and Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps. He is also brother-in-law to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In addition to DATA, Bobby Shriver launched (Product)^RED, a brand licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple, Converse, Gap, and Hallmark in an effort to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

DATA is a multinational organization founded in 2002 by Shriver and U2′s Bono. Activists from the Jubilee Drop the Debt campaign were also involved. It was created to be an advocacy organization, dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty and AIDS in Africa. Currently, DATA is a major partner with the ONE Campaign.

“Chris isn’t a newcomer to these issues,” Shriver said. “I know I can trust Chris Dodd’s commitment to global health as president because of his long record in support of efforts to address poverty and health-related issues around the world.”

In his public endorsement of Dodd, Shrivers cited the Senator’s commitment to service, his years in the Peace Corps and record of results.

“For the 25 years I known him, Chris Dodd has always demonstrated the same ability to lead and inspire that we’ve seen in our greatest presidents,” Shriver said in a prepared statement. “From writing the Family and Medical Leave Act, to ensuring the United States’ participation in the World Bank’s Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries debt forgiveness initiative, to his tireless efforts to combat child poverty and hunger and secure funds for the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, Chris has a special talent for bringing people together on a bipartisan basis to tackle enormous challenges. That makes him the candidate we need at this difficult moment.”

In 2004, Shriver was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in California with the biggest margin in 120 years. He joins his cousins, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, Jr., in endorsing Dodd’s candidacy.

“I’m deeply honored,” Dodd said. “Bobby has been a true champion, creating social change and improving world health. This is someone for whom service is literally in his blood, with his family’s long history of having helped create the Peace Corps, the Special Olympics and so many other efforts that have created opportunity here at home and around the world. I hope to build on that great tradition of service to create a more prosperous and just country for all Americans.”