[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 51 (Monday, December 23, 1996)]
[Page 2524]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.