LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 27, 2014, as HIV Testing Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National HIV Testing 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 the residents of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 27, 2014, as HIV Testing Day
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
HIV Testing Day; and
WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign to encourage
people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control"; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people are living
with HIV, and almost one in five do not know they are infected; and
WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day presents an annual reminder for
people nationwide to learn their HIV status, and to gain the knowledge
they need to take control of their health and their lives; and
WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day also provides an invaluable opportu-
nity to dispel the myths and stigma associated with HIV testing, and to
reach those who have never been tested or who have engaged in high-risk
behavior since their last test; and
WHEREAS, Since the mid-1990s, the number of people who are diagnosed
with HIV each year has remained relatively stable at about 50,000
infections per year; however, certain groups, including African Ameri-
cans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all races/ethnicities,
continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV; and
WHEREAS, Of particular concern is the significant increase in new
infections among young gay and bisexual men; nationally, between 2008 to
2010, young men ages 13-24 had a 22 percent increase in new infections,
and young black men in that group now account for more new HIV
infections than any other subgroup by race/ethnicity, age, and gender;
and
WHEREAS, New York State leads the nation in the number of new HIV
cases; and
WHEREAS, As of 2012, approximately 129,000 people are diagnosed with
HIV/AIDS in New York State; almost 80 percent live in New York City; and
WHEREAS, 77 percent of people living with HIV in New York are over
forty years old, and 42 percent of positive New Yorkers are over fifty
years old; and
WHEREAS, To date, over 100,000 New Yorkers have died from AIDS-related
causes; and
WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National HIV Testing Day are
observed in order to continue to raise awareness and eventually halt the
spread of HIV/AIDS in 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 June 27, 2014, as HIV
Testing Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National HIV Testing 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.