    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [December 17, 1996]
    [Page 2220]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Receiving the National AIDS Strategy
    December 17, 1996

        I am pleased today to receive the first-ever National AIDS Strategy.
    In the 15 years of this epidemic, we have never had such a unified
    strategy. This strategy represents an important milestone in the history
    of the fight to defeat this epidemic.
        The National Strategy reiterates our administration's and our
    Nation's commitment to winning the battle against AIDS. It establishes
    six major goals for our national efforts: to find a cure and a vaccine;
    to reduce new HIV infections; to assure people living with HIV and AIDS
    access to high-quality care; to fight AIDS-related discrimination at
    every turn; to lead the global fight to end AIDS; and to translate our
    research advances into treatment as quickly as possible.
        These goals will help to guide our work in the coming term and more
    specifically in the coming year. We have made significant progress in
    the last 4 years. Researchers working toward a cure and a vaccine are
    reporting encouraging news and giving us hope. New treatments, approved
    by the FDA in record time, are producing some very encouraging results
    in terms of the quality of people's lives and the potential for
    extending the length of life.
        This progress results from more than a decade of investment in AIDS
    research, prevention, and care. I am very proud that in the four budgets
    my administration has produced, funding for AIDS programs has increased
    by 55 percent. We have also strengthened the Office of AIDS Research at
    NIH and tripled funding for AIDS drug assistance programs.
        Despite this progress, we must recognize that the AIDS epidemic is
    not over. Far too many of our sons and daughters are still losing their
    lives to this epidemic every day. Far too many are still becoming
    infected. We will win the battle against HIV, but to do so we must stand
    shoulder to shoulder in the fight and we must build on the strides we
    have made. I am confident that my administration will do its part and
    that we have taken yet another step forward in that battle today.