Ellen DeGeneres has been named as a
Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness by Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton.
Clinton announced DeGeneres'
designation Tuesday during a major address on HIV/AIDS at the
National Institutes of Health.
DeGeneres, the host of The Ellen
DeGeneres Show, will use her celebrity to raise awareness about
the global fight against AIDS.
“By lending us your energy,
compassion and star power to serve as our Special Envoy for Global
AIDS Awareness, your words will encourage Americans in joining you to
make their voices heard in our campaign to achieve an AIDS-free
generation. The enormous platform of your television show and your
social media channels will enable you to reach millions of people
with the strong and hopeful message that we can win this fight,”
Clinton said in a letter to DeGeneres.
“I'm honored to have been chosen by
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as Special Envoy for Global
AIDS awareness. The fight against AIDS is something that has always
been close to my heart. And I'm happy that I can use my platform to
educate people and spread hope.” DeGeneres said.
“Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to
go look up what 'envoy' means,” she added.