Senate Resolution No. 3622

BY: Senator COMRIE

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 7, 2018, as
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 7, 2018, 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

WHEREAS, February 7, 2018, marks the 18th Anniversary of Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; this year's theme is "I Am My Brother's and
Sister's Keeper," which emphasizes our responsibility to stand united
with our family and friends in the fight against HIV and AIDS; and

WHEREAS, The founders of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
include: Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch
Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University -
Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and
Addictions Council; and the National Black Leadership Commission on
AIDS; and

WHEREAS, The Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day community stands to
provide capacity building assistance to Black communities and
organizations 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
mobilization initiative is designed to encourage African Americans
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 2015, African Americans comprised less than 12 percent
of New York State's population, yet accounted for 48% of all new HIV
patients; African American gay and bisexual men account for 58% of new
diagnoses; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, 3,591 African Americans died of HIV or AIDS,
accounting for 53% of total deaths attributed to the disease that year
in the United States; and

WHEREAS, There is hope; from 2010-2014, HIV diagnoses among African
American women fell by nearly 25%; HIV diagnoses have also dropped among
African Americans who inject drugs, and after years of increases, HIV
diagnoses have stabilized among African American gay and bisexual men;
and

WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as Black HIV/AIDS Awareness
Day are observed in an effort to continue spreading awareness and

consequently, delay and eventually terminate the spread of HIV/AIDS, not
only in 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, 2018, as
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.