[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8762 of November 30, 2011

World AIDS Day, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On World AIDS Day, 30 years after the first cases of HIV/AIDS were
reported, we stand with the individuals and communities affected by HIV
and recommit to progress toward an AIDS-free generation.
My Administration is taking action to turn the corner on the HIV/AIDS
pandemic by investing in research that promises new and proven methods
to prevent infection and better therapies for people living with HIV. In
the past year, the National Institutes of Health has reported important
progress. We now know that treatment of HIV not only improves clinical
outcomes, but can also dramatically reduce the risk of transmission.
Studies on the use of antiretroviral medications to prevent infection of
HIV-negative individuals show promising results. And research is ongoing
to devise new prevention methods that may one day offer innovative ways
to prevent the spread of HIV, like microbicides that can curb the risk
of infection in women. By pursuing the next breakthrough treatment in
the fight against HIV, continuing research to develop a vaccine, and
incorporating new scientific tools into our programs, we are taking
important steps toward an AIDS-free generation.

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To combat the HIV epidemic in the United States, we are implementing the
first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy in our country's history,
which calls for strong, coordinated policy initiatives, enhanced HIV/
AIDS education, collaboration across the Federal Government, and robust
engagement with individuals, communities, and businesses across America.
As part of these efforts, we are embracing the best science available to
prevent new HIV infections, and we are testing new approaches to
integrating housing, prevention, care, and substance abuse and mental
health services related to HIV/AIDS. We are implementing the Affordable
Care Act, which mandates new consumer protections and new options for
purchasing health insurance for all Americans by 2014, including those
with HIV. We are also striving to secure employment opportunities for
people living with HIV by working to end discrimination based on HIV
status.
To address the global HIV pandemic, we are working with nations around
the world to advance comprehensive prevention efforts and provide
lifesaving medicine to millions of people living with HIV. We are
integrating cutting-edge science into the President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that will do even more to prevent new HIV
infections, including more effective drug regimens to prevent mother-to-
child HIV transmission and low-cost approaches like voluntary medical
male circumcision. When combined with other proven approaches, such as
condoms, HIV testing and counseling, and programs to support behavior
change, these advances can dramatically reduce HIV incidence and save
lives. As we move forward, we will maintain our commitment to rigorously
measuring the impact of these approaches, revising them appropriately,
and incorporating new ideas and technologies as they become available.
Recognizing that a coordinated strategy is essential to our success, we
are partnering with a wide variety of stakeholders to promote HIV/AIDS
awareness, prevention, and treatment. Here at home, States, tribes,
territories, and local governments are vital partners in implementing
the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and we are joined by a host of public
and private supporters and collaborators in PEPFAR. Partnerships with
corporations, foundations, faith-based institutions, academic
institutions, and other organizations are critically important to the
fight against HIV, and we will work to strengthen these ties in the
years ahead.
At this pivotal time in the worldwide response to HIV, the United States
is preparing to welcome the global community to Washington, D.C., for
the 19th International AIDS Conference in July 2012. We look forward to
working with and learning from people living with HIV, clinicians,
researchers, practitioners, and advocates from across the globe. On this
World AIDS Day, let us reflect on the people we have lost and those we
hold dear who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. And as we pay
tribute to the past and current heroes in the struggle against this
disease, let us recommit to bringing an end to this tragic pandemic and
pursuing an AIDS-free generation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim December 1, 2011, as
World AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people

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to join me in appropriate activities to remember those who have lost
their lives to AIDS and to provide support and comfort to those living
with this disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA