[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 75851-75852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31011]



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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7382--World AIDS Day, 2000
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 233 / Monday, December 4, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 75851]]

                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

[[Page 75852]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-31011
Filed 1-1-00; 11:09 am]
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