December 1, 2008 Bush reaffirms commitment to fight AIDS Play video

(NECN: Washington) - To commemorate World AIDS Day, today, President Bush made a statement in the front lawn of the White House this morning, in front of a red, 28-foot ribbon. The fight against HIV/AIDS has been one of the President's chief initiatives while in the Oval Office.

Bush verbatim:

"Good morning. Today is World AIDS Day, a day we reaffirm our commitment to fight HIV/AIDS at home and abroad. 33 million people around the world are living with HIV, including more than one million Americans. Once again this year, to observe World AIDS Day, there is a red ribbon on the North Portico of the White House. The ribbon is a symbol of our resolve to confront HIV/AIDS and to affirm the matchless value of every life.

One of the most important initiatives of my administration has been the

Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR. It's the largest

international health initiative dedicated to a single disease. When we

launched PEPFAR, our goal was to support treatment for two million people in

five years. Today, I'm pleased to announce that we have exceeded that goal

-- early.

The American people, through PEPFAR, are supporting lifesaving treatment for

more than two million people around the world. And when PEPFAR began, only

50,000 people living with HIV in all of sub-Sahara Africa were receiving

antiretroviral treatment.

Around the world, we've also supported care for more than

affected by HIV, including more than four million orphans and vulnerable

children. More than 237,000 babies have been born HIV-free, thanks to the

support of the American people for programs to prevent mothers from passing

the virus on to their children.

PEPFAR is bringing hope and healing to people around the world. On our trips to Africa, Laura and I have witnessed firsthand the gratitude of the

African people.

We look forward to discussing our efforts to combat global HIV/AIDS with

Rick Warren at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health this morning. In

the meantime, we thank our fellow citizens for being so compassionate and so caring and so decent. God bless."