Presidential Documents

75851

Federal Register

Vol. 65, No. 233

Monday, December 4, 2000

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7382 of November 30, 2000

World AIDS Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As the global community observes the 13th annual World AIDS Day, we

remember with sorrow our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues

who have lost their lives to AIDS, and we reaffirm our shared commitment

to carry on the fight until our battle against this devastating disease is

won.

We can be proud of our efforts over the past 8 years. My Administration

has worked aggressively to increase funding for AIDS research; to find

better treatments, a vaccine, and a cure; to enhance HIV prevention efforts;

and to help ensure that those living with HIV and AIDS receive the health

care they need. Federal funding for such activities has doubled on the

national front and tripled internationally, reaching nearly $11 billion last

year alone, and I recently named a Presidential Envoy for AIDS Cooperation.

Building on this commitment, last month I signed into law the Ryan White

CARE Act Amendments of 2000, improving the Federal Government’s most

comprehensive program for providing services to Americans living with

HIV/AIDS. Our investment is producing results and, thanks to new treatments, many people with AIDS are living longer and experiencing a better

quality of life than ever before.

But our battle is far from over. Last year, 3 million people died from

HIV/AIDS—the highest global total reported since the pandemic began. Current estimates indicate that more than 50 million people have been infected

with HIV since the virus was first identified more than 15 years ago, and

some 21.8 million people have died from HIV/AIDS. The number of children

orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS is estimated to be more than 13.2 million.

Because the spread of HIV has reached catastrophic proportions in many

areas of our global community, AIDS has become a national and international

security threat. The United States is working hard to develop partnerships

with other nations and to mobilize a greatly expanded global response

to address HIV/AIDS through our Leadership and Investment in Fighting

an Epidemic Initiative. And this week, we will host a White House Summit

of Religious Leaders to underscore the important role the world’s faith

communities play in preventing the spread of HIV and in caring for those

affected by HIV. Many care and treatment programs around the world are

operated by religious-based organizations, and often these groups provide

the only available source of care. The summit will highlight successful

efforts and raise awareness of our moral obligations in addressing HIV and

AIDS.

Our goals are clear, and our resolve is firm. Working with our partners

at home and abroad, we will triumph over the tragedy of HIV/AIDS and

ensure a bright, healthy future for our children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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, 2000, as

World AIDS Day. I invite the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth

of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction

75852 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 233 / Monday, December 4, 2000 / Presidential Documents

of the United States, and the American people to join me in reaffirming

our commitment to defeating HIV and AIDS. I encourage every American

to participate in appropriate commemorative programs and ceremonies in

workplaces, houses of worship, and other community centers, to reach out

to protect and educate our people, and to provide hope and help to all

who are living with HIV and AIDS.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day

of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence

[FR Doc. 00–31011

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of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

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