    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [December 1, 2006]
    [Pages 2144-2145]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on World AIDS Day
    December 1, 2006

        Laura and I welcome our guests. This is World
    AIDS Day. It's a day for the world to recognize the fact that there are
    39 million people living with HIV/AIDS and a day to remember the fact
    that 25 million people have died of AIDS. It's a day, as well, for the
    United States to remember that we have a duty to do something about this
    epidemic, this pandemic.
        And today Laura and I met with the Secretary
    of HHS, as well as Mark Dybul, our U.S. Coordinator for our AIDS effort, and people
    who are involved with helping to save lives, people from our country and
    people from around the world who have come to share with us the stories
    of compassion and courage.
        This country is committed--we're committed in helping solve this
    problem by dedicating a lot of resources to the battle against HIV/AIDS.
    The American taxpayers have funded over $15 billion to help groups
    around this table save lives. Before the PEPFAR program--that's the name
    of the program that we--that's what we call the program that we dedicate
    money to, to help save lives--before it became into being, there was
    about 50,000 people receiving lifesaving drugs. Today, there are over
    800,000 people receiving lifesaving drugs, and we thank those who are on
    the ground in the countries around the world who are using taxpayers'
    money to save lives. We believe that it's one thing to spend money; we
    also believe it's another thing to say that we expect there to be
    results. And the American people need to know, we're getting good
    results with your money, and we'll continue to spend it wisely.
        We also--as we think about people affected with HIV/AIDS in
    countries around the world, we remember those who have got HIV/AIDS here
    at home. And it's very important for the American people to understand
    we're spending over $18 billion to help save lives here at home. And I
    call upon the Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White Act. The bill has
    passed the United States House of Representatives; the Senate has time
    to act before it goes on recess. It is an important piece of legislation
    that will enable us to continue our fight against HIV/AIDS domestically.
        I can't thank you all enough for coming, and I thank you for being
    such decent, compassionate people. The pandemic of HIV/AIDS can be
    defeated, and the United States is willing to take the lead in that
    fight. But we can't do it alone. And so for our international partners,
    we appreciate what you do. For the faith-based community, we thank you
    for hearing the universal call to love a neighbor. And for the
    taxpayers, we appreciate your generosity in showing the world the good
    heart and compassion of the American people.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:41 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The World AIDS Day proclamation of November 26 is listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.

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