Political Quotes

“today I wish to commemorate the 28th World AIDS Day. This day is a time to recognize the tremendous progress we have made in combating the human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and to redouble our commitment to preventing and treating this devastating disease. For many years, we have viewed AIDS as a death sentence. Before 2000, rates of infection grew exponentially. People living with HIV/AIDS had few options, and what options they did have were expensive and out of reach. Millions of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS were isolated within their own communities, and there was virtually no way to prevent HIV transmissions from pregnant women to their unborn children, ending countless lives before they could truly begin. But thanks to sustained United States and global efforts-- administered through programs like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and UNAIDS--we are finally turning the tide, not only in terms of slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS, but also by improving the lives of those affected by this disease. Since 2000, new HIV infections have dropped by 35 percent. AIDS- related deaths are down 42 percent from their peak in 2004. To date, 15 million men, women, and children worldwide are on anti-retroviral therapy, compared to only 1 million in 2001. We have also made significant progress in tackling mother-to-child transmissions, which are key to ending the AIDS epidemic.…”