09800SR0048 EnrolledLRB098 08047 GRL 38138 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 48

 
2    WHEREAS, The date of February 7, 2013, marks the 12th
3annual commemoration and observance of National
4African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and
 
5    WHEREAS, This observance is a nationwide effort to mobilize
6African-American communities to get educated, get tested, get
7involved, and get treated for HIV/AIDS, as it continues to
8devastate African-American communities; and
 
9    WHEREAS, National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
10is directed, planned, and strategically implemented by
11HIV/AIDS organizations to mobilize community-based
12organizations and stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS
13prevention, care, and treatment; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Nearly 35,000 residents of Illinois are living
15with HIV; 51% of people diagnosed with HIV are
16African-American; and
 
17    WHEREAS, African-American gay men under the age of 30 in
18Chicago have an infection rate 3 times greater than their white
19counterparts; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Over two-thirds of women diagnosed with HIV in the

 

 

09800SR0048 Enrolled- 2 -LRB098 08047 GRL 38138 r

1United States are African-American; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Among African-Americans ages 25-44, HIV was the
34th leading cause of death for men and 3rd leading cause of
4death for women, higher than any other racial group; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Numerous organizations, faith-based institutions,
6public health entities, and impacted citizens are hosting
7community events to recognize this day and its importance to
8African-Americans and all concerned citizens; and
 
9    WHEREAS, It is fitting that we join with these local,
10national, and international groups to express our strong
11support for National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
12and the initiatives to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in
13African-American communities and provide access to and
14utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and support
15services to those affected by HIV/AIDS; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
17ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date
18of February 7, 2013, as National African-American HIV/AIDS
19Awareness Day in the State of Illinois and encourage the
20citizens of this State to strongly support this day and
21participate in events planned to commemorate the occasion.