[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 73077-73078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29118]



[[Page 73075]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 233

December 4, 2013

Part IV





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Proclamation 9064--World AIDS Day, 2013
 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 233 / Wednesday, December 4, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 73077]]

                Proclamation 9064 of November 27, 2013

                
World AIDS Day, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year on World AIDS Day, we come together as a 
                global community to fight a devastating pandemic. We 
                remember the friends and loved ones we have lost, stand 
                with the estimated 35 million people living with HIV/
                AIDS, and renew our commitment to preventing the spread 
                of this virus at home and abroad. If we channel our 
                energy and compassion into science-based results, an 
                AIDS-free generation is within our reach.

                My Administration released the first comprehensive 
                National HIV/AIDS Strategy in 2010. Since then, we have 
                made significant progress in strengthening scientific 
                investments, expanding effective HIV/AIDS education and 
                prevention, and connecting stakeholders in both the 
                public and private sectors. At the same time, advances 
                in our scientific understanding have allowed us to 
                better fight this disease. We know now that by focusing 
                on early detection and treatment, we can both prevent 
                long-term complications and reduce transmission rates. 
                To build on this progress, I issued an Executive Order 
                in July establishing the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, 
                which addresses the gaps in care and prevention, 
                especially among communities with the greatest HIV 
                burden. And this November, I signed the HIV Organ 
                Policy Equity Act, lifting the ban on research into the 
                possibility of organ transplants between people with 
                HIV.

                My Administration remains committed to reducing the 
                stigma and disparities that fuel this epidemic. 
                Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require 
                health insurance plans to cover HIV testing without any 
                additional out-of-pocket costs. It will also prohibit 
                discrimination based on HIV status and eliminate annual 
                benefit caps. Under this law, we have already expanded 
                Medicaid for working class Americans and banned 
                lifetime limits on insurance coverage.

                Our work to end HIV extends far beyond our borders. 
                This is a global fight, and America continues to lead. 
                The United States has provided HIV prevention, 
                treatment, and care to millions around the world, 
                helping to dramatically reduce new infections and AIDS-
                related deaths. This year we celebrate the 10th 
                anniversary of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
                Relief (PEPFAR), a powerful bipartisan effort to turn 
                the tide on this epidemic. Through PEPFAR, we are 
                making strong global progress and are on track to 
                achieve the ambitious HIV treatment and prevention 
                targets I set on World AIDS Day in 2011. Because 
                country ownership and shared responsibility are vital 
                to a strong and sustained global response, we launched 
                PEPFAR Country Health Partnerships, an initiative that 
                will empower our partner countries as they progress 
                toward an AIDS-free generation. In the next few days, 
                my Administration will host the Global Fund to Fight 
                AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's Replenishment 
                Conference to enlist new partners, leverage American 
                funding, and increase our collective impact against 
                these diseases. With continued United States 
                leadership, strong partners, and shared responsibility, 
                we can realize this historic opportunity.

                We will win this battle, but it is not over yet. In 
                memory of the loved ones we have lost and on behalf of 
                our family members, friends, and fellow citizens of the 
                world battling HIV/AIDS, we resolve to carry on the 
                fight

[[Page 73078]]

                and end stigma and discrimination toward people living 
                with this disease. At this pivotal moment, let us work 
                together to bring this pandemic to an end.

                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, 2013, 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 
                twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-29118
Filed 12-3-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4