Presidential Address: American Foundation for AIDS Research

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on our society. We need some comprehensive answers. What can we
do to defend Americans not infected with the virus? How can we
best care for those who are ill and dying? How do we deal with a
disease that may swamp our health care system? The commission
will help crystallize America's best ideas on how to deal with
the AIDS crisis.
We know some things already -- the cold statistics. But I'm
not going to read you gruesome facts on how many thousands have
died or most certainly will die. I'm not going to break down the
numbers and categories of those we've lost, because I don't want
Americans to think AIDS simply affects only certain groups. AIDS
affects all of us.
What our citizens must know is this: America faces a
disease that is fatal and spreading. This calls for urgency, not
panic. It calls for compassion, not blame. And it calls for
understanding, not ignorance.
It's also important that America not reject those who have
the disease, but care for them with dignity and kindness. Final
judgment is up to God; our part is to ease the suffering and to
find a cure. This is a battle against disease, not against our
fellow Americans.
We mustn't allow those with the AIDS virus to suffer
discrimination. I agree with Secretary of Education Bennett --
we must firmly oppose discrimination against those who have AIDS.
We must prevent the persecution, through ignorance or malice, of

our fellow citizens.