[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 48 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Pages 2948-2949]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7382--World AIDS Day, 2000

 November 30, 2000

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    As the global community observes the 13th annual World AIDS Day, we 
remember with sorrow our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues 
who have lost their lives to AIDS, and we reaffirm our shared commitment 
to carry on the fight until our battle against this devastating disease 
is won.
    We can be proud of our efforts over the past 8 years. My 
Administration has worked aggressively to increase funding for AIDS 
research; to find better treatments, a vaccine, and a cure; to enhance 
HIV prevention efforts; and to help ensure that those living with HIV 
and AIDS receive the health care they need. Federal funding for such 
activities has doubled on the national front and tripled 
internationally, reaching nearly $11 billion last year alone, and I 
recently named a Presidential Envoy for AIDS Cooperation.
    Building on this commitment, last month I signed into law the Ryan 
White CARE Act Amendments of 2000, improving the Federal Government's 
most comprehensive program for providing services to Americans living 
with HIV/AIDS. Our investment is producing results and, thanks to new 
treatments, many people with AIDS are living longer and experiencing a 
better quality of life than ever before.
    But our battle is far from over. Last year, 3 million people died 
from HIV/AIDS--the highest global total reported since the pandemic 
began. Current estimates indicate that more than 50 million people have 
been infected with HIV since the virus was first identified more than 15 
years ago, and some 21.8 million people have died from HIV/AIDS. The 
number of children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS is estimated to be 
more than 13.2 million.

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    Because the spread of HIV has reached catastrophic proportions in 
many areas of our global community, AIDS has become a national and 
international security threat. The United States is working hard to 
develop partnerships with other nations and to mobilize a greatly 
expanded global response to address HIV/AIDS through our Leadership and 
Investment in Fighting an Epidemic Initiative. And this week, we will 
host a White House Summit of Religious Leaders to underscore the 
important role the world's faith communities play in preventing the 
spread of HIV and in caring for those affected by HIV. Many care and 
treatment programs around the world are operated by religious-based 
organizations, and often these groups provide the only available source 
of care. The summit will highlight successful efforts and raise 
awareness of our moral obligations in addressing HIV and AIDS.
    Our goals are clear, and our resolve is firm. Working with our 
partners at home and abroad, we will triumph over the tragedy of HIV/
AIDS and ensure a bright, healthy future for our children.
     Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 
1, 2000, as World AIDS Day. I invite the Governors of the States and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to 
join me in reaffirming our commitment to defeating HIV and AIDS. I 
encourage every American to participate in appropriate commemorative 
programs and ceremonies in workplaces, houses of worship, and other 
community centers, to reach out to protect and educate our people, and 
to provide hope and help to all who are living with HIV and AIDS.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 
of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                            William J. Clinton

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:09 a.m., December 1, 
2000]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 4.