Hoyer Statement on World AIDS Day
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
December 1, 2022
Contact Info:
Raymond Rodriguez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of World AIDS Day:
"Today, I join people around the world in observing World AIDS Day and in remembering all those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. We also honor the many people – including many members of the LGBTQ community – who courageously revealed their HIV diagnosis despite the racist and homophobic stigma surrounding the disease in the 1980's and 1990's. Sadly, these trailblazers were often shunned and denigrated by their family, friends, and colleagues, but their sacrifices laid the groundwork for a cultural shift toward greater acceptance and support for those with the condition. Let us take this day to renew our commitment to supporting the tens of millions of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world, including more than 1.2 million HIV-positive Americans.
"We have made great strides toward reining in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2003, I was proud to help enact legislation that established the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided over $110 billion to fight HIV/AIDS around the world since its enactment. To date, PEPFAR has saved an estimated 21 million lives worldwide. Although we have made progress with PEPFAR and other programs like it, our work must continue until we develop a cure and eradicate HIV completely.
"As we continue to pursue that goal, we must never forget the lessons we have learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We must always base our public health decisions on science and reason rather than politics and prejudice. We must also be proactive in preventing and preparing for future epidemics that would threaten Americans' health. Indeed, the best way to honor the memory of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS is to take action to prevent a similar tragedy from arising in the future."
"Today, I join people around the world in observing World AIDS Day and in remembering all those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. We also honor the many people – including many members of the LGBTQ community – who courageously revealed their HIV diagnosis despite the racist and homophobic stigma surrounding the disease in the 1980's and 1990's. Sadly, these trailblazers were often shunned and denigrated by their family, friends, and colleagues, but their sacrifices laid the groundwork for a cultural shift toward greater acceptance and support for those with the condition. Let us take this day to renew our commitment to supporting the tens of millions of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world, including more than 1.2 million HIV-positive Americans.
"We have made great strides toward reining in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2003, I was proud to help enact legislation that established the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided over $110 billion to fight HIV/AIDS around the world since its enactment. To date, PEPFAR has saved an estimated 21 million lives worldwide. Although we have made progress with PEPFAR and other programs like it, our work must continue until we develop a cure and eradicate HIV completely.
"As we continue to pursue that goal, we must never forget the lessons we have learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We must always base our public health decisions on science and reason rather than politics and prejudice. We must also be proactive in preventing and preparing for future epidemics that would threaten Americans' health. Indeed, the best way to honor the memory of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS is to take action to prevent a similar tragedy from arising in the future."