George W. Bush to be honored in Washington on World AIDS Day
George W
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, are returning to Washington next month to be recognized for their work on combatting HIV/AIDS worldwide.
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition announced Thursday that it will honor Bush and the former first lady on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, during its annual Tribute Celebration.
The Bushes will receive the Global Leadership Award for establishing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, in 2003. Bush announced the program in his State of the Union address in January 2003. He signed legislation to establish it in May 2003.
Liz Schrayer, the coalition's president and CEO, called the AIDS relief program “one of the most significant achievements in global health in our lifetime." In a statement, she also praised the Bushes for “transformational leadership” in launching it nearly 20 years ago.
