Nancy Pelosi’s unprecedented election last Wednesday to House minority whip elicited excitement in the Bay Area AIDS and HIV community.

Congresswoman Pelosi, a long-time proponent of AIDS causes, has championed HIV and AIDS research, funding, prevention and legislation since her election as Democratic representative to San Francisco in 1987.

“She’s been involved in almost every major HIV issue since she’s been in office,” said Fred Dillon, director of public policy at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “She’s made sure that year after year, Congress steps up to the plate to give the resources necessary for things like prevention and research. And, she’s fought against the odds in times of fiscal austerity for meaningful legislation and crucial resources.”

Pelosi serves as the co-chair of the AIDS Task Force of the House Democratic Caucus, as well as on the House Appropriations Committee and on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Her position and prowess, say supporters in the AIDS community, have enabled Pelosi to sponsor legislation like the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.

The CARE Act, said Dillon, is representative of the critical work Pelosi has done on behalf of the AIDS and HIV community. The CARE Act, which has provided over $1.5 billion since its inception in 1990, provides health care to individuals and families without insurance or the financial resources to pay for medical care.

More recently, Pelosi has put forward legislation to encourage private sector industries like large pharmaceutical companies, to get involved in the fight against AIDS by providing tax credits for companies that engage in AIDS vaccine research.

“There is less and less focus on this issue now as time has passed, and so it’s harder and harder to get funding levels increased, but there are more and more people living with this disease, and we need to keep the issue on the front burner,” said Dillon. “We cannot back away, because it’s going to end up costing more in the long run. And in terms of vaccines, we must do anything that we can to promote research in that area, because it’s the answer to this crisis nationally and internationally.”

According to a Henry J. Kaiser Foundation study, over 72,000 people have died from AIDS since the epidemic’s inception since 1981. Last year there were over 21,000 new cases of HIV infection in the United States. And with a slowing economy affecting non-profit foundations and government funding across the board, many in the AIDS and HIV community view Pelosi’s victory as a buoy in difficult financial times.

“Not only is she the first woman to hold the position, she’s been a champion of HIV and AIDS issues on many different levels,” said Anne Donnelly, director of policy at San Francisco-based Project Inform. “She’s worked hard to ensure that programs were adequately funded – and she’s been a visionary.” And Pelosi’s power base, said Donnelly, is sure to increase with her latest political victory.

Last week’s secret ballot vote of 188 to 95 made Pelosi the second in command and the highest ranking woman in the history of Congress, thrusting her into the national spotlight and giving her the opportunity to become Speaker if the Democrats take control of the House.