More money for his fundy friends.
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President Bush: Faith key to international AIDS fight
* Story Highlights
* Bush: Faith-based groups are "helping to defeat this epidemic one
soul at a time"
* World AIDS Day is Saturday
* More than 2 million people have died of AIDS this year
* Bush wants to expand the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
MOUNT AIRY, Maryland (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday
stressed the role of faith-based groups in the fight against AIDS,
calling the struggle one of conscience and morals on the eve of World
AIDS Day.
Bush was speaking at Calvary United Methodist Church in Maryland after
meeting with representatives of religious and community groups.
"Faith-based groups like these are the foot soldiers in the armies of
compassion," he said. "They are helping to defeat this epidemic one soul
at a time."
More than 33 million people worldwide have HIV -- the virus that can
lead to AIDS -- according to the United Nations. That includes 2.5
million children younger than 15. VideoWatch a report on living with HIV
»
More than 2 million people have died of AIDS this year -- including
330,000 children.
Bush is asking Congress for an additional $15 billion to continue and
expand the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a program
approved by Congress after he announced it in his 2003 State of the
Union address.
On Friday, he announced plans to visit sub-Saharan Africa early next
year to see the program at work. He renewed his call for lawmakers to
continue funding it.
"Now the time has come for the United States Congress to act again," he
said. "I'm confident they will."
The White House says the program -- which targets countries hardest-hit
by the disease -- has treated more than 1.3 million people with AIDS.
Increased funding would boost that number to 2.5 million, while
expanding AIDS prevention programs and offering care to millions more
with AIDS.
Despite some successes, the program has been criticized for requiring
that participating groups emphasize abstinence education.
At the White House, about 40 people carried signs in support of more
AIDS funding.
Before speaking, the president, along with First lady Laura Bush,
participated in an hourlong faith-based roundtable discussion at the
church.
Among others, the president met with Martha Chilufya, founder of the
Mututa Memorial Center in Zambia. The center works with faith-based and
other caregivers to serve more than 150 patients.
Laura Bush and daughter Jenna visited the center in June. Bush said the
first lady will join him on his trip next year.
A giant red ribbon -- the international symbol for AIDS awareness -- was
hung from the north portico of the White House Friday morning "to
represent the continued battle against HIV/AIDS and to affirm the
matchless value of every life," the White House said.
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http://tinyurl.com/2sgnpn
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John #1782
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