For Immediate Release
February 1, 2003
Radio Address of the President to the Nation
Fact Sheet
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week I reported to the
American people on the state of our union. I asked Congress to join me
in meeting the great challenges that confront our nation with the
courage and resolve our times require.
Working together, we'll strengthen our economy and lay the
foundation for sustained growth so that every person who wants to work
can find a job. We will modernize Medicare to make sure that seniors
can choose the coverage that fits them best, including coverage for
prescription drugs. We will reform America's medical liability system
to cut down on excessive lawsuits that are driving up the cost of
health care. We will make America less dependant on foreign sources of
energy by speeding up development of pollution-free cars that run on
hydrogen. We will renew the hope of welfare reform and support the
faith-based and community groups who bring hope and healing to children
who need mentors and men and women who struggle with drug addiction.
The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in
America also determine our conduct abroad. Across the world, we are
meeting the threat of terrorism to make the world safer, and
confronting the grave dangers posed by outlaw regimes. At the same
time, America can also make this world better by bringing the merciful
powers of modern medicine to people in great need.
Today in Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus,
including 3 million children under the age of 15. To meet this growing
crisis, I am proposing the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This
comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at
least 2 million people with life-extending drugs, and provide humane
care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children
orphaned by AIDS. Facilities across Africa will have the medicine to
treat AIDS because it will be purchased with funds provided by the
United States.
I'm asking the Congress to commit $15 billion to fight AIDS
overseas for the next five years, beginning with $2 billion in 2004.
This plan, coupled with our ongoing efforts, will nearly triple our
current annual spending on the global fight against AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis.
Our efforts to combat AIDS in Africa are made more difficult by
severe food shortage sweeping that continent, a crisis that affects up
to 30 million people in Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa,
particularly Ethiopia. Hunger, sickness and grief have left people
across the continent even more vulnerable to the effects of AIDS.
Across the earth, America is feeding the hungry. More than 60
percent of international emergency food aid comes as a gift from the
people of the United States. Building on this commitment, my budget
for 2004 calls for more than $1 billion dollars to meet emergency food
needs worldwide. Today, I announced a new proposal for a $200 million
famine fund to bring immediate assistance to Africa and other regions
facing starvation. Money from the fund will be available to purchase
food supplies directly, or to support farmers in food production. We
will encourage friends around the world to set up similar funds and
leverage our combined resources to provide the most help to
famine-stricken lands.
Through all our efforts to fight disease and hunger, we can spare
people in many nations from untold suffering, and Africa especially.
Millions are facing great affliction, but with our help, they will not
face it alone. America has a special calling to come to their aid and
we will do so with the compassion and generosity that have always
defined the United States.
Thank you for listening.
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