President Bush Commemorates World AIDS Day | President George W. Bush smiles as he looks back at Thandazile Darby and her two children, four-year-old Lewis, and five-year-old Emily. The South African visitors were guests at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, during the President's remarks on World AIDS Day. (White House photo by Paul Morse) |
December 1, 2005 - Speaking from the White House today, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush commemorated the observance of World AIDS Day, while discussing U.S. initiatives to fight the disease. The president also unveiled the New Partners Initiative, a program that will include a competitive process for $200 million in grants through fiscal year 2008 to community and faith-based organizations in the developing world to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care services. "HIV/AIDS is a global health crisis—it is also a daily burden for many of our families and neighbors and friends," said President Bush. "Across Africa, this pandemic threatens the stability and the future of whole societies. In Asia, HIV/AIDS is a challenge that grows daily and must be confronted directly. Here in the United States, over a million of our citizens face this chronic condition. At the start of this century, AIDS causes suffering from remote villages of Africa to the heart of America's big cities. This danger is multiplied by indifference and complacency. This danger will be overcome by compassion, honesty, and decisive action." The President acknowledged there was much still to be done, and he pointed out there are 40,000 new infections in the United States each year. However, he also noted progress, pointing out the increasing number of Americans who have now lived 15 years or more, due to treatments that have helped transform AIDS from a fatal disease to a long-term illness. Praising the efforts of leaders in his administration in the fight against AIDS, the President singled out U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Andrew Tobias. Members of his Cabinet were also present, as well as U.S. Senators Dick Lugar and Mike Enzi. Secretary Michael O. Leavitt was accompanied by CDC Director, Dr. Julie Gerberding, National Institutes of Health Director, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, Dr. Anthony Fauci. The President took pride in "America's unique ability and a special calling" in this effort and drew attention to major initiatives such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the support given to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The President announced the New Partners Initiative within PEPFAR, which is designed to reach out further to faith-based and community organizations in the developing world. He recognized the global significance of American biomedical research and said, "The U.S. Congress and the American people have been generous in this effort and can know that their generosity is making a significant difference." For more information:
Last revised: October 22, 2007 | 
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