A PROCLAMATION FOR WORLD AIDS DAY, DECEMBER 1

Our Nation joins the world in celebrating the extraordinaryadvancements we have made in the battle against HIV and AIDS, and remembering those we have lost. Over the past three decades, brave men and women have fought devastating discrimination, stigma, doubt, and violence as they stood in the face of thisdeadly disease.

Many of them would not be here today, but forthe dedication of other persons living with HIV, their loved onesand families, community advocates, and members of the medicalprofession. On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves todeveloping a national AIDS strategy that will establish thepriorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad.

Though we have been witness to incredible progress, ourstruggle against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With an infection occurring every nine-and-a-half minutes in America, there aremore than one million individuals estimated to be living with thedisease in our country. Of those currently infected, one in fivedoes not know they have the condition, and the majority of newinfections are spread by people who are unaware of their ownstatus. HIV/AIDS does not discriminate as it infiltratesneighborhoods and communities. Americans of any gender, age, ethnicity, income, or sexual orientation can and are contractingthe disease.

Globally, there are over 33 million people living with HIV. While millions have died from this disease, the death rate isslowly declining due, in part, to our Nation's global effortthrough the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. However, HIV remains a leading cause of deathworldwide. Women and children around the world are particularlyvulnerable due to gender inequalities, gaps in access toservices, and increases in sexual violence. While the statistics  are distressing, new medications and scientific advancements giveus reason for hope.

Tackling this disease will take an aggressive, steadfastapproach. My Administration is developing a national HIV/AIDSstrategy to bolster our response to the domestic epidemic, and aglobal health initiative that will build on PEPFAR's success. We  will develop a strategy to reduce HIV incidence, improve accessto care, and help eliminate HIV-related health disparities.

We  have already ensured that visitors to our shores living with HIVare not marginalized and discriminated against because of their  HIV status. We have also secured the continuation of critical HIV/AIDS care and treatment services. Today, we recommitourselves to building on the accomplishments of the past decadesthat have dramatically changed the domestic and global HIV/AIDSlandscape.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of theUnited States of America, by virtue of the authority vestedin me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2009, as World AIDS Day. I urgethe Governors of the States and the territories subject to thejurisdiction of the United States, and the American people tojoin in appropriate activities to remember those who have losttheir lives to AIDS, and to provide support and comfort to thoseliving with this disease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand thistwenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lordtwo thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United Statesof America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Submitted by Editor on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 10:48pm.

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