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In Recognition of World AIDS DayThank you, Secretary Powell, for that kind introduction. We at the Department of Health and Human Services deeply appreciate the work you do for global health. And let me welcome everyone here. It's a pleasure to see our friends from the diplomatic corps and throughout the United States government gathered together for a common cause. It's a cause that is vital to every one of our nations. We are here to commemorate World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious challenges facing humanity. No country has been spared. Some have faced widespread devastation. All have families whose lives have been destroyed by this horrible disease. The problem of AIDS is real. But the solution can be found within us, and our ability to bring fresh ideas and fresh thinking to the challenge of AIDS. As the noted AIDS educator and advocate Mary Fisher once said, "In the face of stigma and hopelessness, daunting challenges and desperate need, it is my prayer that we will, each one of us, wake to a day with courage. It would be a remarkably good morning if we began not by wondering what others have done about AIDS, but by asking, 'What can I do?'" My friends, we will. And we are. Our commitment to ending this pandemic is strong. Our commitment is unwavering. Our commitment is unprecedented.
But, in discussing HIV/AIDS, it would be a grave mistake to simply boil our efforts down to dollar figures on a ledger chart - a mere recitation of billions spent that loses sight of our ultimate goal: saving lives. Let me share another number with you, a number that speaks directly to why every nation and why we - as a global community - must reaffirm our commitment to fighting AIDS. By 2010, an estimated 44 million children around the world will have lost both parents to AIDS. That's almost too painful to contemplate. The depth and breadth of that tragedy - of that indescribable pain - was brought home to me in April when I led a delegation of our nation's elected officials, scientists, NGOs and others to four African nations. While in South Africa, we visited an orphanage, where all the children wanted from us was one simple thing - to be picked up and hugged. It was heart wrenching. And never was it more clear to me that we as a nation, we as a global community, must do more. It is a social, moral, political and - yes - personal obligation. We must have the political will and courage to do fight on - and encourage others to make this fight a priority. The millions of people we have lost to this disease, and their loved ones, deserve nothing less. The United States is well aware that investing in global health is not only a matter of increasing economic growth or improving political stability. It will help us do nothing less than save the next generation. There can be few higher callings for all of us as a civilized society. Let me reiterate: The United States will continue to provide unmatched money, expertise and research to battle HIV/AIDS. It is time we all work together as partners to end this terrible scourge that is tearing apart families, communities and even countries. Thank you very much. And now, I'd like to introduce my good friend and colleague, Joe O'Neill of the White House Office of AIDS Policy. Last Revised: December 11, 2002 |
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