WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) today praised President George Bush’s five-year strategic plan to fight global HIV/AIDS.
More than $350 million in grants have already been committed to support prevention, treatment and care programs in specially targeted countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, he said.
“I applaud the President’s commitment and leadership in fighting the international HIV/AIDS epidemic. The five-year, $15 billion emergency plan is the most aggressive strategy in the world to fight HIV/AIDS, and it will make a real difference in the lives of millions -- those living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk of contracting the disease. Just one month after Congress appropriated the funds, $350 million is already being used to bring relief to countries around the world. I commend Ambassador Tobias for moving so quickly, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that the President’s ambitious goals are met.
“Prevention, care and treatment programs linked together are critical to lowering the rate of disease, and that’s exactly what the President’s plan supports. Many of us have seen firsthand how AIDS does much more than kill. It destroys families, communities, economic stability and a chance at a future for entire countries. A multifaceted approach, which combines international, national and local leaders worldwide, is an opportunity to change the present course for countries most afflicted with the disease. I believe that with bipartisan Congressional support and the continued leadership of President Bush we will make great progress to end the scourge of disease and improve the lives and futures of millions of people around the world.”