On the recordNovember 30, 2011
25 million people dead around the world, 14 million orphaned children on the continent of Africa alone. This is part of the toll that the human race has borne since the terrible scourge of HIV/AIDS began its deadly work a generation ago. Tomorrow, December 1, is World AIDS Day. I rise today to commemorate the millions of brothers, sisters, friends, and children that we've lost to this disease. I rise to commemorate the struggle of the 33 million people around the world who are living with this terrible disease today. And I rise to celebrate the new and real possibility that we could end AIDS in this generation. Madam Speaker, this government funded the PEPFAR fight which brought hope and health to millions of people around the world, and we have funded the research that allows us to say today that we could end AIDS. Madam Speaker, as we do the hard work of balancing our budget and governing this country, let's do what we need to do to end this disease and make sure that future World AIDS Days are all about celebration. ____________________
