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Skriven 2006-11-30 23:31:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (061130g) for Thu, 2006 Nov 30
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World AIDS Day, 2006
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 30, 2006

World AIDS Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America



HIV/AIDS is a global health crisis and a constant struggle for many of our
families, friends, and neighbors. On World AIDS Day, we underscore our
commitment to fight the AIDS pandemic with compassion and decisive action.

America leads the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and through the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief we are combating the disease in countries
around the world. Through the New Partners Initiative, we are supporting
faith-based and community organizations that offer much of the health care
in the developing world, so that we can reach more people more effectively.
In addition, the United States and other concerned countries are promoting
a comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. This includes
the ABC approach encouraging abstinence, being faithful, and using condoms,
with abstinence as the only sure way to avoid the sexual transmission of
HIV/AIDS.

As we work to fight HIV/AIDS globally, we must also ensure our citizens at
home have the resources and support they need for treatment and prevention
of this disease. Today, more than 1 million Americans are living with
HIV/AIDS, and many of these individuals are unaware that they are infected.
We will continue to provide medical care, counseling, and testing for those
in greatest need of HIV/AIDS assistance, and I have asked the Congress to
reform and reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act and provide new funding to
improve distribution of HIV/AIDS medicines in America. The Federal
Government is also working closely with faith-based and other community
organizations to provide services to individuals with HIV/AIDS and end the
stigma of AIDS.

America is blessed with scientific knowledge and compassionate citizens,
and we are guided by our founding conviction that each life has matchless
value. On World AIDS Day and throughout the year, we stand with our friends
and partners around the world in the urgent struggle to fight this virus,
comfort those who are affected, and save lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2006, as World
AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States, and the American people to join me in appropriate activities
to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, to work to prevent
this deadly disease, and to comfort and support those living with HIV/AIDS.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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