[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15885]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          WORLD AIDS DAY 2012

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, Saturday we mark another World 
AIDS Day dedicated to showing our support of people living with HIV. In 
the 24 years since the first such day, we have seen great progress in 
the fight against the spread of this disease.
  But there is still much more that needs to be done, not the least of 
which includes increasing public awareness. So this World AIDS Day, 
especially in memory of those who have died from this disease, let us 
recommit to ending this epidemic once and for all.
  My State of Florida has been hit particularly hard by this epidemic: 
over 100,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS. And for too long, Florida 
had a long waiting list of low income residents waiting for assistance 
to afford the high cost of life saving medications. At times, this list 
grew to over 4,000 Floridians.
  Thankfully, we have made great progress over the past year through 
increased State and Federal investment--and, Florida's wait list is now 
down to 56 individuals. But no one should have to forgo life saving 
drugs because they can't afford them.
  In the days ahead when Congress is considering ways to tighten our 
belt, I would urge my colleagues to avoid blindly slashing these life 
saving programs.
  We also must remain committed to funding the goals of President 
Barack Obama's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief globally. Among the goals 
is to provide care for the more than 12 million people with HIV around 
the world, including some 5 million orphans and children.
  Mr. President, this is not, and should not be partisan issue for 
lawmakers. As former President George W. Bush noted in 2008, it's a 
question of our moral interest.
  ``We believe in the timeless truth,'' the president said, ``to whom 
much is given, much is required.''

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