[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76025-76026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31420]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 76025]]


                Proclamation 8762 of November 30, 2011

                
World AIDS Day, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On World AIDS Day, 30 years after the first cases of 
                HIV/AIDS were reported, we stand with the individuals 
                and communities affected by HIV and recommit to 
                progress toward an AIDS-free generation.

                My Administration is taking action to turn the corner 
                on the HIV/AIDS pandemic by investing in research that 
                promises new and proven methods to prevent infection 
                and better therapies for people living with HIV. In the 
                past year, the National Institutes of Health has 
                reported important progress. We now know that treatment 
                of HIV not only improves clinical outcomes, but can 
                also dramatically reduce the risk of transmission. 
                Studies on the use of antiretroviral medications to 
                prevent infection of HIV-negative individuals show 
                promising results. And research is ongoing to devise 
                new prevention methods that may one day offer 
                innovative ways to prevent the spread of HIV, like 
                microbicides that can curb the risk of infection in 
                women. By pursuing the next breakthrough treatment in 
                the fight against HIV, continuing research to develop a 
                vaccine, and incorporating new scientific tools into 
                our programs, we are taking important steps toward an 
                AIDS-free generation.

                To combat the HIV epidemic in the United States, we are 
                implementing the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS 
                Strategy in our country's history, which calls for 
                strong, coordinated policy initiatives, enhanced HIV/
                AIDS education, collaboration across the Federal 
                Government, and robust engagement with individuals, 
                communities, and businesses across America. As part of 
                these efforts, we are embracing the best science 
                available to prevent new HIV infections, and we are 
                testing new approaches to integrating housing, 
                prevention, care, and substance abuse and mental health 
                services related to HIV/AIDS. We are implementing the 
                Affordable Care Act, which mandates new consumer 
                protections and new options for purchasing health 
                insurance for all Americans by 2014, including those 
                with HIV. We are also striving to secure employment 
                opportunities for people living with HIV by working to 
                end discrimination based on HIV status.

                To address the global HIV pandemic, we are working with 
                nations around the world to advance comprehensive 
                prevention efforts and provide lifesaving medicine to 
                millions of people living with HIV. We are integrating 
                cutting-edge science into the President's Emergency 
                Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that will do even more to 
                prevent new HIV infections, including more effective 
                drug regimens to prevent mother-to-child HIV 
                transmission and low-cost approaches like voluntary 
                medical male circumcision. When combined with other 
                proven approaches, such as condoms, HIV testing and 
                counseling, and programs to support behavior change, 
                these advances can dramatically reduce HIV incidence 
                and save lives. As we move forward, we will maintain 
                our commitment to rigorously measuring the impact of 
                these approaches, revising them appropriately, and 
                incorporating new ideas and technologies as they become 
                available.

                Recognizing that a coordinated strategy is essential to 
                our success, we are partnering with a wide variety of 
                stakeholders to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, 
                and treatment. Here at home, States, tribes, 
                territories,

[[Page 76026]]

                and local governments are vital partners in 
                implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and we are 
                joined by a host of public and private supporters and 
                collaborators in PEPFAR. Partnerships with 
                corporations, foundations, faith-based institutions, 
                academic institutions, and other organizations are 
                critically important to the fight against HIV, and we 
                will work to strengthen these ties in the years ahead.

                At this pivotal time in the worldwide response to HIV, 
                the United States is preparing to welcome the global 
                community to Washington, D.C., for the 19th 
                International AIDS Conference in July 2012. We look 
                forward to working with and learning from people living 
                with HIV, clinicians, researchers, practitioners, and 
                advocates from across the globe. On this World AIDS 
                Day, let us reflect on the people we have lost and 
                those we hold dear who are living with or affected by 
                HIV/AIDS. And as we pay tribute to the past and current 
                heroes in the struggle against this disease, let us 
                recommit to bringing an end to this tragic pandemic and 
                pursuing an AIDS-free generation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States do hereby proclaim December 1, 2011, as 
                World AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and 
                the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other 
                territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
                States, and the American people to join me in 
                appropriate activities to remember those who have lost 
                their lives to AIDS and to provide support and comfort 
                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 two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-31420
Filed 12-5-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P