Resolution 050626

..Title Honoring and Commending the Health Committee of the NAACP-Philadelphia Branch on the occasion of "National HIV Testing Day." ..Body Whereas, June 27, 2005 is the annual observance of "National HIV Testing Day," a day where events will occur throughout the nation to encourage its residents to Get Tested and Get Treated for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS; Whereas, activities are planned throughout the month of June, "AIDS Education Month," to bring attention to the devastation that HIV/AIDS causes to Philadelphia's communities and the need for increased prevention and education efforts; Whereas, in Philadelphia, as of December 2004, the total number of reported AIDS cases since 1981 was over 17,000, which represents 61% of all the reported AIDS cases in Pennsylvania; Whereas, one of the leaders in raising awareness and promoting prevention education events for National HIV Testing Day in Philadelphia is the Health Committee of the Philadelphia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP"); Whereas, the NAACP was formed in 1909 by a multiracial group of progressive thinkers with the objective of ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority groups. The NAACP has as its mission, in part, the goal of eliminating race prejudice and providing leadership for the protection and enhancement of the civil rights and well being of African Americans and other people of color; Whereas, the mission of the Philadelphia NAACP Health Committee is to alert and educate its members and the community-at-large about the prevention and elimination of health disparities such as the horrible effects of HIV and AIDS not just on National HIV Testing Day, but every day; Whereas, Philadelphia NAACP is joined in its efforts by State Representative Jewell Williams, AIDS Activities Coordinating Office-Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Black Women's Health Alliance, Women's Christian Alliance, Philadelphia FIGHT and a host of other community organizations and leaders; and Whereas, It is fitting that we join with Philadelphia NAACP to express our strong support for National HIV Testing Day and their health initiatives to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Philadelphia community. Therefore, be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor and commend the Philadelphia NAACP on the occasion of "National HIV Testing Day." Further Resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to J. Whyatt Mondesire, President and Denise Pride, Health Chair of Philadelphia-NAACP as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End