Honoring Paul Kawata for his unwavering commitment to communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and work to end the HIV epidemic.
This is a ceremonial House Resolution honoring Paul Kawata, the longtime executive director of NMAC (formerly the National Minority AIDS Council), in recognition of his decades of leadership advancing health equity for communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community, and his work to end the HIV epidemic. The resolution highlights Kawata’s role as the longest-serving head of a national HIV/AIDS organization, his involvement in foundational policy efforts (founding member of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership, and leadership in shaping the Minority AIDS Initiative and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy), and his advocacy against racism, homophobia, and health disparities. It expresses gratitude for his civil rights and public health contributions and extends best wishes as he retires. The bill does not create new laws or authorize spending; it is a symbolic, non-binding recognition.
Key Points
- 1Honors Paul Kawata for groundbreaking leadership and a lasting legacy of advocacy for communities of color and LGBTQ+ people.
- 2Recognizes Kawata’s 38 years of service at NMAC, shaping public health with a racial- and queer-justice lens.
- 3Commends his commitment to equity, inclusion, and access for people living with HIV and those affected by systemic discrimination.
- 4Acknowledges his role in civil rights, public health, and empowerment of marginalized communities.
- 5Extends best wishes for his retirement and notes the indelible impact he leaves on the nation.