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PRINTER'S NO. 3152
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
668
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY WHEATLEY, HILL-EVANS, BURNS, KULIK, KORTZ,
A. DAVIS, BIZZARRO, SCHLOSSBERG, KINSEY, KIM, McNEILL, MURT,
ULLMAN, WILLIAMS, FREEMAN, SANCHEZ, DeLUCA, FRANKEL,
KENYATTA, ROEBUCK, INNAMORATO, KIRKLAND AND READSHAW,
JANUARY 17, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JANUARY 17, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating February 7, 2020, as "National Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, HIV/AIDS affect African Americans at alarming rates;
and
WHEREAS, Of all the racial and ethnic groups within the
United States, African Americans are the most affected by
HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, African Americans comprised only 13% of the
United States population but accounted for 53% of all new HIV
infections; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, African-American males were diagnosed with
AIDS approximately 7.8 times the rate as Caucasian males, and
African-American males are 7 times more likely to die from
HIV/AIDS than non-Hispanic Caucasian males; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, African-American females were diagnosed
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with AIDS 16 times the rate as Caucasian females, and African-
American females are 15 times more likely to die from HIV/AIDS
than non-Hispanic Caucasian females; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, African Americans were 8.6 times more
likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the
Caucasian population; and
WHEREAS, "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" seeks to
educate African Americans about this devastating disease through
a platform emphasizing four main points which include education,
testing, involvement and treatment; and
WHEREAS, "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" began in
2000 as five organizations worked collectively to assist in the
effort to decrease and ultimately eradicate HIV/AIDS in the
African-American community; and
WHEREAS, The five organizations included: Concerned Black
Men, Inc., of Philadelphia, Health Watch Information and
Promotion Services, Inc., Jackson State University - Mississippi
Urban Research Center, the National Black Alcoholism and
Addictions Council and the National Black Leadership Commission
on AIDS, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Healthy Black Communities, Inc., known as HBC, is
serving as the leading organization ensuring the initiative is
carried out annually; and
WHEREAS, HBC maintains an active Internet presence promoting
awareness of the importance of educating communities on the
effects of HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that African Americans educate
themselves and their communities on the effects of HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, African Americans should be tested to learn their
HIV/AIDS status because education and early detection are
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critical in saving lives; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
February 7, 2020, as "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives annually
recognize "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" to increase
education, promote inclusion and emphasize the importance of
testing and HIV/AIDS treatment.
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