" . . . we're all worried about the choices our teenagers make . . . about how the best-laid plans for a bright future can be dashed with a single bad decision . . . "

Hillary Rodham Clinton,
White House Conference on Raising
Responsible and Resourceful Youth

A safe passage into a productive, rewarding adulthood -- this is our dream for our children. But, as William Butler Yeats said, "in dreams begins responsibility." Timid hopes for the best are not enough; families, businesses, communities, and government must join young people in realistic, vigorous action. Young people have a right to depend on us as adults. We must mobilize our nation's resources -- resources that are unparalleled in American history -- to protect and care for them.

We cannot slip into complacency about matters that should inspire us to act. We must not forget that the HIV and AIDS statistics assembled in this report are not really about numbers but about real young people who are just starting their lives.

And we cannot ignore our obligation to learn what we can about HIV prevention and care for young people, and to share these lessons abroad. Our advances in prevention science, medical science and practice can help turn the tide in the catastrophic global AIDS pandemic that has been declared a threat to our own national security.

Thanks to the very hard work of many people inside and outside of government, we have a growing arsenal of powerful weapons to use in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Youth culture and the virus itself are always changing, and our prevention and treatment approaches must keep pace.We must take full advantage of the sound strategies that we have at our disposal -- our children and our future are at stake.