I'm writing in response to letters to the editor inquiring about my support of the United Nation's Global Fund. I want to assure readers that I have been a strong advocate of this program, which is intended to halt the spread of AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

I've voted every year for the foreign operations appropriations bill, which contains funding for the Global Fund.

This year, I supported the measure, which included $400 million for the Fund, and I also support the $600 million level provided by the Senate.

I've also written to President Bush, urging him to increase his budget request for the Global Fund, which he has not done.

As the wealthiest country in the world and a leader in helping create this program, we must support the fund. It has proven a well-managed and effective tool for dealing with this growing health crisis.

In addition, I worked with several of my colleagues a few months ago to urge congressional appropriators to increase resources for the fund. We outlined the importance of fighting AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

At a time when 12 Sub-Saharan African countries have HIV infection rates of more than 10 percent, it's obvious that these diseases are wreaking tremendous devastation throughout much of the developing world. I joined my colleagues in arguing that the prevention, control, and cure of each disease must be a major objective of U.S. foreign policy.

I hope that these facts clarify my support of the Global Fund, which remains one of my top international priorities.