The White House on Thursday released a statement by President Barack Obama commemorating World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1. Noting progress made against the disease in the past year, Obama said in the statement, “As we continue this important work with our partners around the world and here at home, let us remember the lives we have lost to AIDS, celebrate the progress we have made, and, together, recommit to ourselves to achieving our shared vision of an AIDS-free generation” (11/29). Additionally, President Obama on Thursday signed a Presidential Proclamation recommitting the U.S. “to preventing the spread of this disease, fighting the stigma associated with infection, and ending this pandemic once and for all” (11/29).