Recording academy to honor Bono for AIDS work

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which presents the annual Grammy Awards, has announced that it will award the 2003 MusiCares Person of the Year Award to Irish rock star Bono for his work on HIV/AIDS and debt-relief issues, AllAfrica.com reports. During the past three years, Bono has used his fame to call attention to the AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, including making highly publicized trips there with Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill to get a first-hand look at the epidemic's devastation of African communities. In 2001 Bono brought together a group of musicians to record a single to raise funds for international HIV/AIDS efforts. He is currently in the process of setting up an organization called Debt, AIDS, Trade for Africa (DATA) that will work to encourage wealthy nations to fund AIDS prevention and treatment efforts in developing countries. Academy chair Garth Fundis called Bono "a gifted and dedicated visionary" and noted that Bono's "musical accomplishments are matched only by his endeavors to effect positive change on the human condition worldwide" in announcing the award. The award will be presented to Bono at a ceremony held February 21 in New York City, two days before the annual Grammy Awards gathering.