Declare Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

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.