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News Release

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding President Bush's Nomination of Randall Tobias as
Coordinator for International HIV/AIDS Assistance

President Bush has taken yet another important step in increasing the United States' role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS by announcing his intention to create a new position with ambassadorial rank to coordinate U.S. assistance and help bring about increased contributions to the world effort from others as well. Randall Tobias will bring a wealth of valuable experience to this mission, and his appointment signals once again the President's high commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS worldwide.

This new post is being created because of the unprecedented increase in resources that the President has brought about to fight HIV/AIDS. In his State of the Union address this year, President Bush proposed a five-year, $15 billion American initiative to help the hardest-hit nations in preventing HIV/AIDS, as well as caring for those with the disease. The Congress acted with great speed to enact this proposal. And now, the appointment of a Coordinator for International HIV/AIDS Assistance will further help to bring about the President's vision, with maximum effectiveness.

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Last Revised: July 2, 2003