[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 48 (Monday, December 4, 2006)]
[Pages 2112-2113]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8087--World AIDS Day, 2006

 November 30, 2006

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    HIV/AIDS is a global health crisis and a constant struggle for many 
of our families, friends, and neighbors. On World AIDS Day, we 
underscore our commitment to fight the AIDS pandemic with compassion and 
decisive action.
    America leads the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and through 
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief we are combating the disease in 
countries around the world. Through the New Partners Initiative, we are 
supporting faith-based and community organizations that offer much of 
the health care in the developing world, so that we can reach more 
people more effectively.

[[Page 2113]]

In addition, the United States and other concerned countries are 
promoting a comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. 
This includes the ABC approach--encouraging abstinence, being faithful, 
and using condoms, with abstinence as the only sure way to avoid the 
sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS.
    As we work to fight HIV/AIDS globally, we must also ensure our 
citizens at home have the resources and support they need for treatment 
and prevention of this disease. Today, more than 1 million Americans are 
living with HIV/AIDS, and many of these individuals are unaware that 
they are infected. We will continue to provide medical care, counseling, 
and testing for those in greatest need of HIV/AIDS assistance, and I 
have asked the Congress to reform and reauthorize the Ryan White CARE 
Act and provide new funding to improve distribution of HIV/AIDS 
medicines in America. The Federal Government is also working closely 
with faith-based and other community organizations to provide services 
to individuals with HIV/AIDS and end the stigma of AIDS.
    America is blessed with scientific knowledge and compassionate 
citizens, and we are guided by our founding conviction that each life 
has matchless value. On World AIDS Day and throughout the year, we stand 
with our friends and partners around the world in the urgent struggle to 
fight this virus, comfort those who are affected, and save lives.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, 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, 2006, as 
World AIDS Day. I urge 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 
appropriate activities to remember those who have lost their lives to 
AIDS, to work to prevent this deadly disease, and to comfort and support 
those living with HIV/AIDS.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 
of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:44 a.m., December 1, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 4, 2006. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language version of this proclamation.