[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Page 263]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Domestic Reduction in Deaths From AIDS

February 27, 1997

    I was greatly encouraged by today's report from the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention on the historic reduction in the number 
of Americans dying of AIDS, further evidence that this terrible epidemic 
is beginning to yield to our sustained national public health investment 
in AIDS research, prevention, and care.
    In these last 4 years, we have steadily increased our national 
commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS. We have increased funding for the 
programs by more than 50 percent, developed the first-ever national AIDS 
strategy, accelerated approval of successful new AIDS drugs by the Food 
and Drug Administration, strengthened and focused the Office of AIDS 
Research at the National Institutes of Health, and created a White House 
Office of National AIDS Policy.
    We have made good progress, but it is also clear that the AIDS 
epidemic is not over. We must continue to press ahead if we are to meet 
our ultimate goal--the end to this epidemic, a cure for those who are 
living with HIV, and a vaccine to protect everyone from this virus.
    That is why I am so pleased that the Department of Health and Human 
Services is today releasing another $202 million in funds under the Ryan 
White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act to provide high-quality 
treatment to people living in 49 U.S. cities. Funds for the CARE act 
have increased 158 percent over the last 4 years and the number of 
cities receiving this assistance has grown from 26 to 49. While we will 
continue to care for those who are already sick, we must also sustain 
our commitment to prevention. The only way that we can assure that a 
person will not die of AIDS is to make sure they don't become infected 
with HIV in the first place.
    Today's report is very good news, but we must not relax our efforts. 
In the months and years ahead, we must continue to work together as a 
nation to further our progress against this deadly epidemic, and while 
we do so, we must remember that every person who is living with HIV or 
AIDS is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, parent or 
grandparent. They deserve our respect and they need our love.