    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [February 1, 2003]
    [Pages 118-119]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    February 1, 2003

        Good morning. Earlier this week, I reported to the American people
    on the state of our Union. I asked Congress to join me in meeting the
    great challenges that confront our Nation with the courage and resolve
    our times require.
        Working together, we'll strengthen our economy and lay the
    foundation for sustained growth so that every person who wants to work
    can find a job. We will modernize Medicare to make sure that seniors can
    choose the coverage that fits them best, including coverage for
    prescription drugs. We will reform America's medical liability system to
    cut down on excessive lawsuits that are driving up the cost of health
    care. We will make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy
    by speeding up development of pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen.
    We will renew the hope of welfare reform and support the faith-based and
    community groups who bring hope and healing to children who need mentors
    and men and women who struggle with drug addiction.
        The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in
    America also determine our conduct abroad. Across the world, we are
    meeting the threat of terrorism to make the world safer and confronting
    the grave dangers posed by outlaw regimes. At the same time, America can
    also make this

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    world better by bringing the merciful powers of modern medicine to
    people in great need.
        Today in Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus,
    including 3 million children under the age of 15. To meet this growing
    crisis, I am proposing the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This
    comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at
    least 2 million people with life-extending drugs, and provide humane
    care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children
    orphaned by AIDS. Facilities across Africa will have the medicine to
    treat AIDS because it will be purchased with funds provided by the
    United States.
        I'm asking the Congress to commit $15 billion to fight AIDS overseas
    for the next 5 years, beginning with $2 billion in 2004. This plan,
    coupled with our ongoing efforts, will nearly triple our current annual
    spending on the global fight against AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
        Our efforts to combat AIDS in Africa are made more difficult by
    severe food shortage sweeping that continent--a crisis that affects up
    to 30 million people in southern Africa and the Horn of Africa,
    particularly Ethiopia. Hunger, sickness, and grief have left people
    across the continent even more vulnerable to the effects of AIDS.
        Across the Earth, America is feeding the hungry. More than 60
    percent of international emergency food aid comes as a gift from the
    people of the United States. Building on this commitment, my budget for
    2004 calls for more than $1 billion to meet emergency food needs
    worldwide. Today I announced a new proposal for a $200 million famine
    fund to bring immediate assistance to Africa and other regions facing
    starvation. Money from the fund will be available to purchase food
    supplies directly or to support farmers in food production. We will
    encourage friends around the world to set up similar funds and leverage
    our combined resources to provide the most help to famine-stricken
    lands.
        Through all our efforts to fight disease and hunger, we can spare
    people in many nations from untold suffering, and Africa especially.
    Millions are facing great affliction, but with our help, they will not
    face it alone. America has a special calling to come to their aid, and
    we will do so with the compassion and generosity that have always
    defined the United States.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:43 a.m. on January 31 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February 1. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 31 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.