Matteo Renzi: “It is said to those that have been given much, much will be expected. It is with this sense of duty and obligation that…”

“It is said to those that have been given much, much will be expected. It is with this sense of duty and obligation that the President has turned the Nation's attention, America's attention, to the realization that our Nation can use a portion of its wealth to help eradicate the devastating effects of AIDS in some of the most impoverished portions and regions of our world. Yet without passage of the Smith amendment, certain worthy organizations, who have proven themselves successful in taking on this fight, organizations who have been there from day one on the front lines, would not qualify, possibly would be disqualified if they have moral or religious objections to just one part of a three-part strategy. This amendment makes necessary distinctions which ensure that faith-based organizations can continue to educate and change people's hearts, minds, and souls towards a more moral way of life. While it has been said they undermine, the fact is, again, reiterating, these faith-based organizations, particularly the Catholic-based organizations, care for one out of every four AIDS sufferers in the world. I urge support of the amendment.”