Pelosi Remarks at amfAR Conference on Future Directions in Fight Agains...( WASHINGTON May 13 -- Speaker Nancy ...),Health

WASHINGTON, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi received an "Award of Courage" from amfAR at the research foundation's conference today on future directions in the fight against HIV/AIDS. amfAR's "Awards of Courage" are bestowed each year on select individuals in recognition of the vision, determination, and courage that mark them as leaders in the fight against AIDS. Other 2009 awardees are Senator Edward Kennedy, Dr. C. Everett Koop and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Below are the Speaker's remarks as prepared:

"Thank you, Kenneth Cole, for that kind introduction. And thank you to amfAR for the 2009 amfAR Award of Courage.

"I am honored to be receiving this award along with three respected leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS:

• Senator Edward M. Kennedy, whose forceful advocacy in the Senate for people living with HIV/AIDS helped invest federal research dollars to confront this crisis and created our existing system of care and treatment through enactment of the Ryan White CARE Act;
• Dr. C. Everett Koop, whose efforts in the very early days helped educate Americans about the risks of HIV/AIDS and about sensible prevention efforts; and,
• Magic Johnson, whose 1991 announcement that he was living with HIV showed the world his enormous courage, and whose philanthropy and AIDS advocacy have revealed his remarkable compassion.

"America and the world owe amfAR a debt of gratitude for your nearly quarter-century history of advancing HIV prevention, treatment and care. Your work has saved lives, achieved dignity for those living with the disease, and advanced research that is bringing help and hope to those with HIV/AIDS.

"Moments like this bring me back to my first day in Congress - and remind me to honor those who have helped us make phenomenal progress in the fight against HIV/AID
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