    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 16, 2008]
    [Pages 1032-1033]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation To Reauthorize the
    President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
    July 16, 2008

        I thank the Senate for the strong, bipartisan vote today to pass
    important, lifesaving legislation reauthorizing the President's
    Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I appreciate the efforts of
    Majority Leader Reid, Senators Biden and Lugar, and
    all other Senators from both sides of the aisle who came together today
    to ensure that America's generosity in battling HIV/AIDS, malaria, and
    other diseases around the globe will continue in a manner consistent
    with the program's successful founding principles.
        When we launched this program in 2003, about 50,000 people in sub-
    Saharan Africa were receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS.
    Today, PEPFAR supports lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for more than
    1.7 million people around the world. PEPFAR has also supported treatment
    and prevention programs that have helped HIV-positive women give birth
    to nearly 200,000 infants who are HIV-free. PEPFAR is the largest
    international health initiative in history to fight a single disease.
        Traveling in Africa earlier this year, Laura
    and I had our most recent opportunity to witness the effectiveness of
    this program. We were honored to see the doctors, nurses, and caregivers
    of all faiths working to save the lives of their fellow citizens. And we
    met the patients, including many children, who understand and appreciate
    America's generosity.
        With passage of today's bill, we are one step closer to ensuring
    that this excellent program continues to help those in need. I encourage
    the full Congress to move quickly to send me final legislation that I
    can sign.

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