World AIDS Day, 2006

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Part II

The President

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Proclamation 8087--World AIDS Day, 2006

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8087 of November 30, 2006

World AIDS Day, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

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.