1Recognizing February 7, 2014, as "National Black HIV/AIDS
2Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
4Prevention (CDC), HIV/AIDS affect African Americans at alarming
5rates; and

6WHEREAS, Of all the racial and ethnic groups present within
7the United States, African Americans are the most affected by
8HIV/AIDS; and

9WHEREAS, In 2010, African Americans comprised 13% of the
10United States population and 44% of all new HIV infections; and

11WHEREAS, In 2011, African-American males had almost 7.8 times
12the AIDS rate as Caucasian males and African-American males are
137 times as likely to die from HIV/AIDS as Non-Hispanic Caucasian
14males; and

15WHEREAS, In 2011, African-American females had 23 times the

1AIDS rate as Caucasian females and African-American females are
215 times as likely to die from HIV/AIDS as Non-Hispanic
3Caucasian females; and

4WHEREAS, In 2011, African Americans were 8.6 times more
5likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the
6Caucasian population; and

7WHEREAS, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day seeks to
8educate African Americans about this devastating disease through
9a platform emphasizing four main points: education, testing,
10involvement and treatment; and

11WHEREAS, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day began in 2000
12as five organizations worked collectively to assist in the
13effort to decrease and ultimately eradicate HIV/AIDS in the
14African-American community; and

15WHEREAS, The five organizations included: Concerned Black
16Men, Inc., of Philadelphia, Health Watch Information and
17Promotion Services, Inc., Jackson State University - Mississippi
18Urban Research Center, National Black Alcoholism and Addictions
19Council and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; and

20WHEREAS, Healthy Black Communities (HBC) will serve as the
21leading organization ensuring the initiative is carried out
22annually; and

23WHEREAS, HBC maintains an active Internet presence promoting
24awareness of the importance of educating communities on the
25effects of HIV/AIDS; and

26WHEREAS, It is imperative that African Americans educate
27themselves and their communities on the effects of HIV/AIDS; and

28WHEREAS, African Americans should be tested to learn their
29HIV/AIDS status because education and early detection are
30critical in saving lives; therefore be it

1RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
2February 7, 2014, as "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" in
3Pennsylvania; and be it further

4RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives annually
5recognize "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" to increase
6education, promote inclusion and emphasize the importance of
7testing and HIV/AIDS treatment.