Recognizing Friday, June 27th, 2003 as National HIV Testing Day.

WHEREAS, It is estimated that a quarter of a million Americans are infected with HIV and are not aware of it. In Philadelphia, it is estimated that 16,000 individuals have AIDS and an additional one third are HIV positive and do not know; and

WHEREAS, The impact of the AIDS epidemic continues to grow with disproportionately high rates of infection in the African American community. AIDS related death rates among African Americans is ten times higher than among whites; and

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS is having a growing impact on women of color. African American and Latino women together represent less than one fourth of all U.S. women, yet they account for more than three-fourth of AIDS cases reported to date; and

WHEREAS, Prevention and early intervention such as HIV testing can help improve a person's quality of life through access to proper health care and social services; and

WHEREAS, BEBASHI is planning “Dancing in the Streets” a free event to celebrate National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27, 2003 at the Philadelphia Art Museum and the organization will be providing free testing on that day; and

WHEREAS, BEBASHI's mission is to provide culturally sensitive health related information, direct service, technical assistance, research and consumer advocacy to the urban community; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes Friday, June 27, 2003, as National HIV Testing Day and will be celebrated here in Philadelphia through the “Dancing in the Street” event sponsored by BEBASHI.

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