LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim October 15, 2014, Latino AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National Latino AIDS Aware-
ness Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious public health
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 15, 2014, Latino AIDS
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, The last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, October 15th, has
been designated as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD); and
WHEREAS, In 2003, NLAAD was established by the Latino Commission on
AIDS and the Hispanic Federation, in response to the impact of HIV and
AIDS on Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide, including the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, NLAAD is a national community mobilization and social market-
ing campaign that unites the Hispanic/Latino community in efforts to
raise HIV awareness, promotion of HIV testing, prevention and education,
as well as other critical health issues such as Viral Hepatitis, Sexual-
ly Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis; and
WHEREAS, In addition, NLAAD is a capacity building opportunity that
aims to improve the ability of community based organizations, faith
based congregations, and local health departments to provide HIV test-
ing, prevention and education services through collaboration and part-
nership opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day has
demonstrated to be an extremely successful day; NLAAD has solidified
support from 450 partners who together, organized 350 events in 45
states across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, through a partnership with OraSure Technologies,
5,000 HIV testing kits were donated to HIV certified testing sites
throughout the United States, and NLAAD efforts were covered by more
than 4,000 media outlets; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious public health issue, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 15, 2014, Lati-
no AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Latino 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.