2006年VOA标准英语-Bush: Pandemic of HIV/AIDS Can be Defeated

By Meredith Buel
Washington
01 December 2006

President Bush says the pandemic of HIV/AIDS can be defeated and the United States is committed to help stop the spread of the deadly disease.  VOA correspondent¹ Meredith Buel has details from Washington.

President George W. Bush

Marking World AIDS Day, President Bush met with top U.S. health officials and community leaders that battle the disease in countries like Botswana, Ivory² Coast and Namibia.

Mr. Bush says the United States has a responsibility to help the 39 million people who are living with the disease around the world. 

"This country is committed, we are committed to helping³ solve this problem by dedicating⁴ a lot of resources to the battle against HIV/AIDS," he said.  "The American taxpayers⁵ have funded over $15 billion to help groups around this table save lives."

The White House says that money is being used over a five-year period to pay for treatment for 2 million people, prevention for 7 million and care for 10 million.

President Bush says before the program began, about 50,000 people were receiving lifesaving drugs.  Today, more than 800,000 people are being treated with medicine to combat⁶ the disease.

Mr. Bush's initiative⁷ targets 15 countries, including many in sub-Saharan Africa. 

"The pandemic of HIV/AIDS can be defeated and the United States is willing to take the lead in that fight.  But we can't do it alone, so for our international partners, we appreciate what you do," he added.

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since the first case was reported 25 years ago. 

The United Nations says the virus is the leading cause of death among men and women between the ages of 15 and 59.

1 correspondent   

n.记者，通信者；adj.符合的，一致的，相当的

参考例句：

• He volunteered as a correspondent for the war.他自愿担任作报道这次战争的记者。
• The result was correspondent with my wishes.结果与我的愿望是一致的。

2 ivory   

n.象牙，乳白色；adj.象牙制的，乳白色的

参考例句：

• My grandmother has some jewelry made of ivory.我祖母有一些象牙首饰。
• It is carved from ivory.它是用象牙雕成的。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 dedicating   

v.奉献( dedicate的现在分词 )；（为表示感情或敬意将著作、乐曲、艺术作品等）题献给（某人、某事业等）(to)；（在书、音乐或作品的前部）题献辞；以…供奉

参考例句：

• With confidence, you will find pleasure in serious dedicating life. 有了信心，你就会在严肃的献身生活中找到乐趣。 来自互联网
• The Beauty Queen spends her time dedicating parks and bursing homes. 她为自己的事业贡献了毕生的精力。 来自互联网

5 taxpayers   

纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
• She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。

6 combat   

n.战斗，斗争，格斗；vt.与...斗争，与...战斗

参考例句：

• The police are now using computers to help combat crime.警方现在使用电脑打击犯罪活动。
• A reporter interviewed the combat hero.记者访问了这位战斗英雄。

7 initiative   

n.主动性，首创精神，主动权（的行动），倡议

参考例句：

• He went to see the headmaster on his own initiative.他主动去看望校长。
• His employer had described him as lacking in initiative and drive.雇主说他缺乏进取心和干劲。