[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62281-62282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29929]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 2, 1994]


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Part XII





The President





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Proclamation 6759--
World AIDS Day, 1994


                        Presidential Documents 


Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 231
Friday, December 2, 1994

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Title 3--
The President
                Proclamation 6759 of November 30, 1994

 
World AIDS Day, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On this World AIDS Day, we recognize the countless 
                determined individuals who have provided assistance to 
                those affected by HIV and AIDS, and we redouble our 
                efforts to work with our international partners and to 
                confront the enormous challenges that remain. Here and 
                around the world, people are reaching out to those who 
                are living with HIV and AIDS and are joining the fight 
                to stop this epidemic. The theme of this year's 
                commemoration, ``Families and AIDS,'' is especially 
                fitting. When one person suffers, the entire global 
                family is affected. Today, we pledge to keep faith with 
                the thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS and 
                their families--their mothers and fathers, brothers and 
                sisters, their friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

                In slightly more than 13 years, AIDS has claimed the 
                lives of more than 250,000 Americans--nearly five times 
                as many men and women as were killed in the Korean War. 
                If current trends continue, by the end of this decade 
                we will have lost half a million people to this 
                insidious disease, more than our Nation's total losses 
                in World War II. The World Health Organization 
                estimates that 30 to 40 million people worldwide will 
                have been infected with HIV by the end of the decade. 
                The problem of HIV and AIDS is global, and it is one of 
                staggering proportions. The United States will continue 
                to work with our global partners in the worldwide 
                battle against HIV and AIDS.

                Here at home in response to the epidemic, hundreds of 
                community-based organizations have devoted themselves 
                to provide medical care, social and support services, 
                respite care, meal delivery, and education and 
                prevention programs to persons with HIV or AIDS. 
                Together with those they serve, the men and women of 
                these organizations--most of whom are volunteers--are 
                the heroes of our common struggle.

                In the past two years, our Nation has reenergized its 
                response to HIV and AIDS. At a time of zero budget 
                growth, funding for AIDS programs has been increased by 
                30 percent. AIDS research funding has risen by 25 
                percent, and money going to grants under the Ryan White 
                CARE Act has been increased by 82 percent, bringing 
                vital services to thousands of men, women, and children 
                in need. Our research efforts have been reorganized and 
                refocused, and they have already begun to produce 
                results. When scientists discovered that treatment with 
                AZT could sharply reduce the risk of HIV transmission 
                from mothers to their unborn children, the Government 
                acted quickly both to provide women and their health 
                care professionals with new guidelines and to change 
                the labeling on that drug. Already, we are saving 
                lives.

                On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to the 
                battle against HIV and AIDS. Our Government must 
                continue to do its part, including reauthorizing the 
                Ryan White CARE Act and continuing to enforce the 
                Americans with Disabilities Act. Business and community 
                leaders must push forward in their remarkable efforts 
                to educate people everywhere. And every one of us must 
                strive to reach out to those who are living with HIV 
                and AIDS to make their paths a little smoother, to make 
                their hearts a little lighter, and to make their lives 
                a little richer.

                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, 1994, as ``World 
                AIDS Day.'' I invite the Governors of the States, the 
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other 
                territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
                States, and the American people to join me in 
                reaffirming our commitment to combat HIV and AIDS and 
                to reach out with compassion to those living with this 
                disease.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and nineteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-29929
Filed 12-1-94; 10:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P