    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 33 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
    [Page 1900]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement Announcing the Appointment of the Presidential Envoy for AIDS
    Cooperation

    August 15, 2000

        Today I am pleased to name Sandra L. Thurman Presidential Envoy for
    AIDS Cooperation--the first U.S. Envoy to deal exclusively with a global
    health issue.
        AIDS is now the leading cause of death in Africa and increasingly
    threatens Asia and the former Soviet Union. It is reversing hard-won
    advances in life expectancy and economic growth and imperils the
    stability and security of nations.
        Sandy Thurman has joined the battle against AIDS in every capacity
    from community activist to national policy director to international
    policy advocate.
        Since I appointed her Director of the White House Office of National
    AIDS Policy--a position she will retain--she has traveled repeatedly to
    Africa and met many leaders including former President Mandela of South
    Africa, President Museveni of Uganda, and President Obasanjo of Nigeria.
    She led the U.S. delegation to the International AIDS conference in
    Durban and cochaired its session on prevention.
        Sandy will be an inspiring envoy. She combines the passion of an
    advocate with the skill of a diplomat.
        One of her top priorities as AIDS Policy Director was to expand
    America's commitment to fighting global AIDS. Now Sandy will use
    America's growing efforts as leverage to encourage other countries to
    expand financial commitments, to step up prevention efforts, and to
    increase access to care and treatment worldwide. Sandy has an
    extraordinary record of service on this issue, and I am proud to make
    her America's first envoy in the global fight against AIDS.