Remarks by the President to the American Foundation for AIDS Research Awards Dinner

Photocopied at the Roaald Reagan Libra
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Just as most individuals don't know they carry the virus,
no one knows to what extent the virus has infected our entire
society. AIDS is surreptitiously spreading throughout our
population. And yet, we have no accurate measure of its scope. It's
time we knew exactly rat we were facing, and that's why I support
some routine testing.
I've asked the Department of Health and Human Services to
determine as soon as possible the extent to which the AIDS virus has
penetrated our society and to predict its future dimensions. I've
also asked HHS to add the AIDS virus to the list of contagious
diseases for which immigrants and aliens seeking permanent residence
in the United States can be denied entry. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Boo, boo.
THE PRESIDENT: They are presently denied entry for other
contagious diseases. I've asked the Department of Justice to plan
for testing all federal prisoners as looking into ways to protect
uninfected inmates and their families. In addition, I've asked for a
review of other federal responsibilities, such as veterans hospitals,1
to see if testing might be appropriate in those areas. This is in
addition to the testing already underway in our military and foreign
service. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: No, no.
THE PRESIDENT: Now let me turn to what the states can
do. Some are already at work. While recognizing the individual's
choice, I encourage states to offer routine testing for those who
seek marriage licenses and for those who visit sexually transmitted
disease or drug abuse clinics. And I encourage states to require
routine testing in state and local prisons.
Not only will testing give us more information on which
to make decisions, but in the case of marriage licenses, it might
prevent at least some babies from being born with AIDS. (Applause.)
And anyone who knows how viciously how AIDS attacks the body cannot
object to this humane consideration. I should think that everyone
getting married would want to be tested.
You know, it's been said that when the night is darkest,
we see the stars. And there have been some shining moments
throughout this horrible AIDS epidemic. I'm talking about all those
volunteers across the country who have ministered to the sick and the
helpless.
For example, last year, about 450 volunteers from the
Shanti Pcoject provided 130,000 hours of emotional and practical
support for 87 percent of San Francisco's AIDS patients. That krnd
of compassion has been duplicated all over the country and it

symbolizes the best tradition of caring. And I encourage American
to follow that example and volunteer to help their fellow citizens
who have AIDS. (Applause.)
In closing, let me read to you something I saw in the
paper that also embodies the American spirit. It's something that a
young man with AIDS recently said. He said, "While I do accept
death, I think the fight for life is important. And I'm going to
fight the disease with every breath I have."
Ladies and gentlemen, so must we. Thank you.
(Applause.)

END

8:36 P.M. EDT