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REMARKS BY: DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PLACE: Aaron Diamond Center Dedication Ceremony, New York, N.Y. DATE: November 11, 1996
I actually first met Irene when I was the President of Hunter College and she was just starting the Diamond Foundation. But I want to let you in on a little secret: Irene wasn't always such a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker.
In fact, before she came to New York and married Aaron, Irene was one of the leading story editors in Hollywood, where she helped bring the great Bette Davis movies to the screen.
She even green-lighted an obscure little picture that nobody thought had much of a chance. Perhaps you've heard of it: Casablanca.
I say this to make the point that Irene Diamond is no stranger to giving great things to the world. Irene and Aaron gave us the Diamond Foundation to enrich New York, a city that had so enriched them.
The new, state-of-the art laboratory space that we dedicate today has already achieved that goal. But the Diamond Center's impact will be felt far beyond the borders of this extraordinary city.
If past is prologue, the research of Dr. Ho and his brilliant colleagues could help satisfy a waiting world's hunger for a vaccine and a cure.
Already, the scientists of the Diamond Center have given us new insight into how HIV does its dirty work, and how to help tip the balance in favor of infected individuals.
Already, Diamond Center scientists have eliminated all detectable virus from the bloodstream and launched studies to determine if we can eradicate HIV from those infected with it.
So I think I'm on solid ground when I speak of my high hopes for the Diamond Center. And that's what I've come to talk about today: hope.
Vaclav Havel, the Czech prisoner-turned-President, calls hope "a state of mind, not a state of the world." Hope, he says, is "a dimension of the soul, an orientation of the heart."
Three years ago, I came before the AIDS community and suggested that the time had come to re-orient our hearts toward hope.
It was a risky proposition, but in the wake of the Berlin conference, I was convinced that the pendulum had swung too far toward despair.
I am, by nature, an optimist. And my feelings about AIDS had been reinforced by that heroic long-term survivor, Michael Callen, who said: "I don't say hope will guarantee you'll beat AIDS - but you've got to have hope to be in the running."
How I wish that Michael could have lived to see this day. A day when our hope rests upon the strongest foundation of all: results.
Results, to be frank, whose seeds were planted before the White House became fully engaged in this struggle in 1993.
For we all know that as this terrible epidemic unfolded in the 1980s, the executive branch - with a few courageous exceptions -- did not lead.
It was the activists and the scientists and the foundations and some Members of Congress who pushed ahead and set the course.
Now, for the first time, under President Clinton's leadership, you have an Administration that is a true partner in this struggle - a Federal government on your side, pulling its weight, doing its part.
For the first time, you have an Administration that is really listening to the scientists and the other experts, listening not only to your encouragement, but also to your frustrations.
And, it's paying off.
Four years ago, when the first Clinton Administration took office, there were few good treatment options for people living with HIV and AIDS.
Today, we've approved - in record time -- three new protease inhibitors that are extending and improving the lives of people with HIV and AIDS. And more promising drugs are on the way.
When the Clinton Administration took office, the boldest federal AIDS prevention public service announcement featured - I kid you not - a man pulling up a sock.
Today, the CDC's "Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself" campaign speaks frankly to young adults about the importance of abstinence and the correct and consistent use of latex condoms.
When the Clinton Administration took office, the government`s HIV/AIDS strategy wasn't adequately addressing the needs of women, even though they account for 40% of cases worldwide.
Today, we are helping pregnant women to prevent the perinatal transmission of HIV to their babies.
We are focusing on the unique HIV/AIDS concerns of lesbians.
And earlier this year, I went to Vancouver to announce this Administration's commitment to spend $100 million on topical microbicide research over the next four years.
When the Clinton Administration took office, we were spending $385 million a year providing treatment and services under the Ryan White CARE Act.
Today, that sum has grown to one billion dollars - including a tripling this past year of resources dedicated to getting expensive new drugs to citizens in need.
Finally, when the Clinton Administration took office, we had no coordinated AIDS strategy.
Today, with the all-star team of Patsy Fleming in the White House; Helene Gayle at CDC; Joe O'Neill at HRSA; and, of course, Bill Paul at the NIH, we have a coordinated plan of attack, and we are moving forward on all fronts.
Since we are here to dedicate a research facility, I want to pay special tribute to Dr. Paul, who couldn't be with us today, for the great work he has done to strengthen the Office of AIDS Research.
President Clinton and I fought hard during the last Congress and won significant authority for the OAR to direct and guide the research agenda, including the ability to shift funds to meet emerging scientific opportunities.
I want to thank the scientists and activists who stood with us in this fight. Throughout the years, you've told us how important it is to focus on basic science and investigator-initiated research.
And I'm proud that, at the OAR, that's exactly what we've done.
Since 1994, the Office of AIDS Research has increased investigator-initiated research by 40% and is reorganizing our critical vaccine-research efforts. This commitment will continue as we implement the Levine report.
Why? Because we know that we must nurture innovative research if we are going to fight - and win - the battle against HIV.
And I know we can.
Just four years ago, who would have imagined that we'd join here today with new strategies, new leadership, new resources and - most important - new results?
But this is a record to build on, not rest on. And as we dedicate this facility, we must rededicate ourselves to finishing the job.
As President Clinton has said, "Our common goal must ultimately be a cure, a cure for all those who are living with HIV, and a vaccine to protect all of us from the virus.
Listen very carefully to these words: a cure for all of those who are living with HIV - not just those fortunate enough to have insurance or to live in the developed world.
For even as scientists work to achieve breakthroughs, those of us in policy-making positions must work to ensure that those breakthroughs are placed firmly in the grasp of every citizen who needs them.
And, until there is a cure, we must ensure that our first priority continues to be prevention.
In that respect, I want to take a moment to commend Dr. Piot, the visionary leader of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, for his initiatives to prevent TB and PCP in the developing world.
The Joint Program is built upon an idea, an idea that says we must all work together to defeat the multi-headed monster that we call AIDS.
It is the same idea we must bring to all of our AIDS- related endeavors.
And it is the same idea that lies at the very foundation of the Diamond Center, a public-private partnership in the truest sense of the word.
Today, I call upon this nation's great philanthropies and corporations to follow the Diamond Foundation's example and to join with all of us in the fight against AIDS.
As you do, never forget that the battle against HIV and AIDS is also a battle against racism, sexism, ignorance, poverty and homophobia.
And as you do, know that your federal government will stand with you, just as we are standing with the Diamond Center today.
As Humphrey Bogart said in Casablanca: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Thank you.