[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7799 of June 26, 2004


 
National HIV Testing Day, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, 8,000 lives are lost in the global AIDS pandemic. In our
country, nearly 1 million people are infected with HIV, and
approximately 40,000 more contract it each year. National HIV Testing
Day is an opportunity for Americans to increase their awareness of this
terrible disease and to get tested for HIV/AIDS. By working together to
end this pandemic, our Nation's citizens contribute to a brighter future
for themselves and for people around the world.
New drugs and new treatments are bringing hope and enhancing the quality
of life for those who are affected by HIV/AIDS. However, these advances
can only help individuals if they know their HIV status. The National
HIV Testing Day theme, ``It's better to know,''; highlights the
importance of education in helping people make healthy decisions about
preventing and treating HIV/AIDS. Approximately one-quarter of people
who are HIV positive do not know that they are carriers. Without knowing
their status, they cannot get the treatment they need and may
unknowingly spread new infections. Today, testing is easier than ever.
It is imperative that those at risk for HIV/AIDS get tested.
To reach out to HIV/AIDS sufferers in need, I recently announced $20
million in immediate new funding to deliver lifesaving drugs to Ameri

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cans who are awaiting them. I have proposed in my 2005 budget to spend
more than $17 billion here at home to expand prevention efforts such as
regular testing and abstinence education, care and treatment, and
research efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. In addition, this budget proposal
doubles funding for abstinence-only programs, because abstinence is the
only sure way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. My Administration
is working through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
Advancing HIV Prevention initiative to encourage routine testing as a
normal part of health care. At-risk individuals who make the decision to
get tested are taking a step toward saving their own lives and the lives
of others.
My Administration is also fully engaged in the global fight against HIV/
AIDS. I have proposed a record $15 billion over 5 years to combat the
spread of HIV/AIDS around the world, with a focus on some of the
hardest-hit countries of Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. This money
will be used to prevent 7 million new infections, treat 2 million HIV-
infected people with life-extending drugs, and care for 10 million
individuals impacted by this disease, including orphans.
And, working with international partners, we will support intensified
research to create a vaccine and find a cure. While AIDS remains a
source of great suffering for many individuals, worldwide efforts are
bringing us closer to the day when AIDS will be defeated.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 27, 2004, as National
HIV Testing Day. I encourage the American people to support the battle
against HIV/AIDS. I also urge those at risk to get tested for the
disease and to learn more about how to end this health threat in America
and around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7800--JUNE 30, 2004