LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 7, 2012, as Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 7, 2012, as Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD); and
WHEREAS, February 7, 2012, marks the 12th Anniversary of NBHAAD; this
year's theme is "I Am My Brothers/Sisters Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS"; and
WHEREAS, The founders of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
include: Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Infor-
mation and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University - Missis-
sippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions
Council; and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; and
WHEREAS, The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day community stands to
provide capacity building assistance to Black communities and organiza-
tions throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, In its mission to mitigate and eventually eliminate the
spread of HIV, the four focal points of Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
are: education, testing, involvement and treatment; and
WHEREAS, A National HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobiliza-
tion initiative is designed to encourage Blacks across the United States
and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get
treated around HIV/AIDS as it continues to devastate Black communities;
and
WHEREAS, In the State of New York, Blacks/African Americans comprise
less than 15 percent of the State's population, yet account for nearly
half of all new HIV patients; and
WHEREAS, Data shows that Blacks/African Americans are 10 times more
likely than Whites to be diagnosed with HIV, with 67.6 new diagnoses per
100,000 individuals as compared to 6.6 per 100,000 for Whites; and
WHEREAS, In the State of New York, over 55,000 Blacks/African Ameri-
cans live with HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Harlem ranks first in AIDS-related deaths in the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, In the City of New York, Black and Latino females have
constituted close to 92 percent of all new HIV diagnoses among females;
and
WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day are observed in order to continue raising awareness and
eventually, terminating the spread of HIV/AIDS, not only in
Black/African American communities but all communities throughout the
State of New York, the United States of America, and around the world;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 7, 2012, as
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.