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, According the the United States Census Bureau, in the State
of New York, Blacks/African Americans comprise about 15 percent of the
State's population, yet account for nearly half of all new HIV patients;
and
WHEREAS, Data from the New York State Department of Health 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, According to the New York State Health Department's AIDS
Institute, over 55,000 Blacks/African Americans live with HIV/AIDS in
the State of New York; 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 92 percent of all new HIV diagnoses among females, stated by
the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 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.