Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Today, I'm joined by some
very determined people who are battling one of the worst epidemics of modern times: the
spread of ***/AIDS.
I want to thank you all for being here. I'm honored to be in your presence, and I want
to thank others who are joining us in this important cause, as well, starting with Ambassador
Mark Dybul, who is the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. He runs our PEPFAR initiative. Mark, thank
you for being here, as well as Rajat Gupta, who is the Chairman of the Board of the Global
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Rajat, we're proud you're here.
He's told me something very interesting. Actually, he and I attended the same graduate school,
and he said, "It's important for people who have been successful in the business world
to contribute something back to society." And Rajat, thank you for that spirit, and
thank you for that compassion and concern.
Secretary Mike Leavitt is with us, Department of Health and Human Services; Ambassador John
Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State. I'm about to make an important initiative. I appreciate
my -- members of my administration for joining us to hear this initiative.
The U.S. and our citizens have tackled ***/AIDS aggressively. Many ***-positive Americans
are able to lead productive lives. The story has been quite different elsewhere, especially
in sub-Saharan Africa.
When I took office, an *** diagnosis in Africa's poorest communities was usually a death sentence.
Parents watched their babies die needlessly because local clinics lacked effective treatments.
The story of a mother of Kenya affected me deeply when she couldn't afford drugs, except
for one person in her family. So she forgave [sic] her own treatment to save her son.
Despairing families who had lost everything to AIDS started to believe that they had been
cursed by the Almighty God. This modern-day plague robbed Africa and other countries of
the hope of progress, and threatened to push many communities toward chaos.
The United States has responded vigorously to this crisis. In 2003, I asked Congress
to approve an emergency plan for AIDS relief. Our nation pledged $15 billion over five years
for ***/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in many of the poorest nations on Earth. In
the years since, thanks to the support of the United States Congress and the American
people, our country has met this pledge. This level of assistance is unprecedented, and
the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in human history.
This investment has yielded the best possible return: saved lives. To date, the emergency
plan has supported treatment for 1.1 million people infected with ***. This is a promising
start, yet without further action, the legislation that funded this emergency plan is set to
expire in 2008. Today I ask Congress to demonstrate America's continuing commitment to fighting
the scourge of ***/AIDS by reauthorizing this legislation now. I ask Congress to double
our initial commitment and approve an additional $30 billion for ***/AIDS prevention, for care,
and for treatment over the next five years.
This money will be spent wisely through the establishment of partnership compacts with
host nations. These compacts would ensure that U.S. funds support programs that have
the greatest possible impact and are sustainable for the future. America will work with governments,
the private sector, and faith- and community-based organizations around the world to meet measurable
goals: to support treatment for nearly 2.5 million people, to prevent more than 12 million
new infections, and to support care for 12 million people, including more than 5 million
orphans and vulnerable children.
To help assess the progress we have made to date, Laura, the First Lady, is going to go
to Africa next month. She's going to meet with community leaders and visit with participants
in ***/AIDS programs during her trip to Zambia, Senegal, Mali, and Mozambique. And she's going
to come back with her findings. I really thank her for her concern about ***/AIDS. She and
I share a passion. We believe strongly that to whom much is given, much is required. Much
has been given to the United States of America. Therefore, I believe strongly, as does she,
that much is required of us in helping solve this problem.
The statistics and dollar amounts I've cited in the fight against ***/AIDS are significant.
But the scale of this effort is not measured in numbers. This is really a story of the
human spirit and the goodness of human hearts. Once again, the generosity of the American
people is one of the great untold stories of our time. Our citizens are offering comfort
to millions who suffer, and restoring hope to those who feel forsaken.
You know, one good example of this good work is supported by -- that the U.S. supports
is called the Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Three years ago, the center had a staff
of four people, and resources to treat no more than five ***/AIDS patients a day. Today,
the staff consists of 40 people and 10 volunteers who provide care and treatment services to
over 6,000 people. I want to thank the Director of the Hope Center, Bishop Paul, who's with
us today. I want to thank you for being here. I want to thank you for your leadership and
for your care for your fellow human beings.
Dr. Bill Pape is with us, as well. Dr. Pape is an expert on infectious diseases and founded
in Haiti a leading *** treatment program, which is a major PEPFAR partner. Dr. Pape
has shown that even in the most difficult circumstances, dedicated and caring people
can make great progress in fighting ***/AIDS. We're sure proud you're here, doc. Thanks
for coming.
Also with us is Kunene Tantoh. Kunene is ***-positive. She coordinates a mentoring program supported
by U.S. funds for other mothers with *** in Cape Town, South Africa. Kunene is proof that
people with *** can live productive lives and make a significant difference in the lives
of others. Kunene, I want to thank you for joining us. Thank you for bringing Baron.
Baron is four years old, and he's letting us know. (Laughter.) We appreciate you all
coming. Thank you for the example you have set.
Similar success stories are playing out all across the African continent where victims
of ***/AIDS are finding new reservoirs of strength and support. Villages in Africa now
talk of the Lazarus effect, dying communities being brought back to life, thanks to the
compassion of the American people. This is the impact that has made our emergency plan
and the modern-day good Samaritans who are implementing it so effective. It's important
that we continue the work we have begun.
I'm honored that you were here today. I'm honored to be representing a nation that cares
deeply about the suffering of others. I look forward to working with Congress on this great
and noble effort.
May God bless you all. May God continue to bless
the United States.