Barbara Boxer: “this week, as the United Nations meets to prepare a global strategy to combat the growing worldwide HIV-AIDS crisis, I…”

“this week, as the United Nations meets to prepare a global strategy to combat the growing worldwide HIV-AIDS crisis, I am proud to introduce legislation aimed at ensuring that the United States continues to be a leader in the fight against this deadly disease. I am pleased to once again join my good friend and colleague from Oregon, Senator Smith, in introducing this bill. Last year, we teamed up to offer the Global AIDS Prevention Act that doubled funding for the United States Agency for International Development's HIV-AIDS programs. Not only was this legislation included in broader international health legislation which became law, it was also fully funded for the current fiscal year. This year, we are looking to build upon last year's success by again doubling the amount USAID spends on fighting the global HIV-AIDS epidemic. The Global AIDS Research and Relief Act would authorize $600 million in each of the next two fiscal years. It is designed to complement international HIV-AIDS relief efforts so that a truly global response can be implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Russia, and all places where people are suffering from this epidemic. In the 20 years since AIDS was first recognized, 22 million people worldwide have died from the disease, and 36 million more are living with HIV or AIDS today.”