The governor's mansion in Austin, Texas is lovely but unimposing.

A Greek revival island of quiet in the busy capital city.

It was there on the back porch in the waning months of the 20th century that George W. Bush

and his foreign policy adviser, Condolee Sir Rice, surveyed the global challenges that

would confront the next president, which Governor Bush very much hoped to be.

As Bush recalled, one day our conversation turned to Africa.

Condolee had strong feelings on the subject.

She felt Africa had great potential but had too often been neglected.

We agreed that Africa would be a serious part of my foreign policy.

Almost four years later in 2003 in his state of the Union address, a mid-war in Afghanistan,

an upcoming storm in Iraq, President Bush announced a bold initiative.

Today on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus, including

three million children under the age 15.

Because the AIDS diagnosis is considered a death sentence, many do not seek treatment.

Almost all who do are turned away.

Dr. and Rural South Africa describes his frustration.

He says we have no medicines.

Many hospitals tell people you've got AIDS.

We can't help you.

Go home and die.

In an age of miraculous medicines, no person should have to hear those words.

It was a remarkable proclamation, an instance of American power at its best.

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