[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62281-62282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29929]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 2, 1994]
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Part XII
The President
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Proclamation 6759--
World AIDS Day, 1994
Presidential Documents
Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 231
Friday, December 2, 1994
____________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
Proclamation 6759 of November 30, 1994
World AIDS Day, 1994
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On this World AIDS Day, we recognize the countless
determined individuals who have provided assistance to
those affected by HIV and AIDS, and we redouble our
efforts to work with our international partners and to
confront the enormous challenges that remain. Here and
around the world, people are reaching out to those who
are living with HIV and AIDS and are joining the fight
to stop this epidemic. The theme of this year's
commemoration, ``Families and AIDS,'' is especially
fitting. When one person suffers, the entire global
family is affected. Today, we pledge to keep faith with
the thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS and
their families--their mothers and fathers, brothers and
sisters, their friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
In slightly more than 13 years, AIDS has claimed the
lives of more than 250,000 Americans--nearly five times
as many men and women as were killed in the Korean War.
If current trends continue, by the end of this decade
we will have lost half a million people to this
insidious disease, more than our Nation's total losses
in World War II. The World Health Organization
estimates that 30 to 40 million people worldwide will
have been infected with HIV by the end of the decade.
The problem of HIV and AIDS is global, and it is one of
staggering proportions. The United States will continue
to work with our global partners in the worldwide
battle against HIV and AIDS.
Here at home in response to the epidemic, hundreds of
community-based organizations have devoted themselves
to provide medical care, social and support services,
respite care, meal delivery, and education and
prevention programs to persons with HIV or AIDS.
Together with those they serve, the men and women of
these organizations--most of whom are volunteers--are
the heroes of our common struggle.
In the past two years, our Nation has reenergized its
response to HIV and AIDS. At a time of zero budget
growth, funding for AIDS programs has been increased by
30 percent. AIDS research funding has risen by 25
percent, and money going to grants under the Ryan White
CARE Act has been increased by 82 percent, bringing
vital services to thousands of men, women, and children
in need. Our research efforts have been reorganized and
refocused, and they have already begun to produce
results. When scientists discovered that treatment with
AZT could sharply reduce the risk of HIV transmission
from mothers to their unborn children, the Government
acted quickly both to provide women and their health
care professionals with new guidelines and to change
the labeling on that drug. Already, we are saving
lives.
On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to the
battle against HIV and AIDS. Our Government must
continue to do its part, including reauthorizing the
Ryan White CARE Act and continuing to enforce the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Business and community
leaders must push forward in their remarkable efforts
to educate people everywhere. And every one of us must
strive to reach out to those who are living with HIV
and AIDS to make their paths a little smoother, to make
their hearts a little lighter, and to make their lives
a little richer.
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, 1994, as ``World
AIDS Day.'' I invite the Governors of the States, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other
territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States, and the American people to join me in
reaffirming our commitment to combat HIV and AIDS and
to reach out with compassion to those living with this
disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and nineteenth.
(Presidential Sig.)>
[FR Doc. 94-29929
Filed 12-1-94; 10:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
