Barack Obama on World AIDS Day
by: Pam Spaulding
Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 14:47:11 PM EST
http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8454 (http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8454)
It is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and President-elect Obama delivered taped remarks to the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health hosted by Pastor Rick Warren in Washington, D.C. That's the same forum where Warren bestowed the mind-blowing International Medal of PEACE upon GWB.
Hello everyone. Thank you for allowing me to send my greetings and to share a few words with you on this special day. It's my privilege to thank Pastor Rick, Kay and all of you for your leadership in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, and your steadfast commitment to eradicating this disease.
On this twentieth anniversary of World AIDS Day, I think it's appropriate to look back for a moment to when this day was first observed. In 1988, when ministers of health from around the world first had the notion to set aside a day to highlight the threat of HIV/AIDS, they faced widespread ignorance and fear. Back then, many refused to even acknowledge the existence of this disease, let alone the devastating impact it was having on families and communities around the world.