WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (UPI)

President Bush got a medal in Washington Monday for his efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, and President-elect Barack Obama vowed to continue the work.

Bush appeared in person at Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Civil Forum to receive an “International Medal of Peace” from the California minister, while Obama sent along a videotaped message, the National Journal reported. The conference marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Obama praised the man he will replace in the White House next month for “his leadership in crafting a plan for AIDS relief in Africa and backing it up with funding dedicated to saving lives and preventing the spread of the disease.” Obama said his administration would continue the fight against the disease in the United States and around the world.

Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, said the American people need to understand that saving lives in Africa is in the United States’ national interest.

“Well, it’s really good foreign policy,” the president said. “It’s good national security policy, too, because the truth of the matter is we are involved in an ideological conflict against people who can only recruit when they find hopelessness. And there’s nothing more hopeless than to be an orphan, for example, whose parents died of HIV/AIDS, wondering whether or not there’s a future for them.

“It’s obviously in our economic interest to have a vibrant, growing group of consumers.

“But it’s in our moral interest — it’s in our moral interest. We’re a better nation when we save lives.”

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.