dr. howard koh who will begin the program. thank you very much. >> thank you so much mr. sorian and welcome everybody. is so great to see you here. i'm dr. howard koh the secretary for health and we are thrilled you are joining us for this very important commemoration of 30 years of leadership in the fight against hiv, aids. today we honor the lives of those we have lost, whose life journeys are literally stitched into these aids quilt that you see around us. today we honor the dedication and persistence of advocates here and around the nation who have ushered in a new era of action on behalf of the country. today we honor the continued commitment of medical and public health professionals. that is everyone here for advancing by to the work and hiv prevention, diagnosis and treatment, not just tear the country but indeed around the world. most important of all perhaps today we reflect on stories over the past 30 years. because this epidemic has touched all of us. you don't have to be infected to be affected by hiv/aids. i remember so clearly 30 years ago this month, i was