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We are very fortunate to have Jack Valenti with us this evening. Jack is a towering figure in the Washington community. As you may know, after almost four decades as head of the Motion Picture Association of America, he recently retired. Having lead one of our countries most powerful cultural forces for so many years, in retirement it would have been easy for him to just relax, kick back and tack it easy. But instead, he chose to take on a new challenge by leading the Global Funds effort to enlist business community support for the fight against HIV. In welcoming him to share a few thoughts with us, it is my honor to present him with this evenings first AIDS Responsibility Project Leadership Award. Jack, congratulations, thank you for being here, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

As Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee, Jim has been a key figure in funding the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. But even before President Bush took office, Jim was a passionate advocate for US leadership in the global fight against HIV. When a lot of other people were not paying attention to the devastation AIDS was causing in Africa, Jim Kolbe was. In the months and years ahead, when tough budget decision have to be made, people who suffer from HIV will be fortunate to have a passionate and powerful friend like Jim Kolbe in the Congress of the United States. Congratulations Jim.

As the Assistant Administrator for Latin America at the US Agency for International Development, Adolfo Franco is responsible for USAIDs activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Because other agencies and other parts of USAID have HIV as their primary focus, Adolfo could have left dealing with HIV to others. But he chose not to. He understood that of we do not integrate dealing with HIV into our other development activities; we will never make headway against this virus. As a result of Adolfos leadership, USAID has launched an innovative public private partnership in Mexico, the first Mexican Business Council on HIV. The Councils purpose is to help member companies to create workplace environments free of HIV related stigma and discrimination. Adolfo, for your vision and leadership, I am happy to present you with this ARP Leadership Award. Congratulations Adolfo.

Let me know say a few words about another public servant I am so pleased to have with us this evening. Ethics rules for White House Staff prevent us from presenting an award to Carol Thompson, but let me tell you why we are happy to honor her this evening. The Bush Administrations domestic record on AIDS is impressive. Whether it is the Presidents commitment to the Re-Authorization of the Ryan White Care Act, or his recent increase in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, this President has shown an unprecedented understanding of the challenge we face with AIDS here at home. That does not happen by accident. It is in large part the result of impressive staff work. As Director of National AIDS Policy, Carol is a big part of the reason this White House and this President has been so responsive. For her commitment and her work, we honor Carol Thompson.

Over the last 24 months I have had an opportunity to travel quite a bit in Africa. I have met and talked with many Africans. I have heard in their voices, and seen in their faces the sense of hope and optimism about what is possible now that the US has committed to lead the global fight against HIV. The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has truly brought hope where there was once only despair. We should be proud of what our country is doing, we should be proud of our President for proposing it, and we should be proud of Joe ONeill, because more than anyone else, he is, in the Presidents own words, the architect of the Presidents Emergency Plan. Joe, behalf of so many people around the world who owe you so much, but will never be able to thank you personally, tonight, for them and for us, we say thank you.