Honoring and commending the NAACP-Philadelphia Branch and the North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition on the occasion of "National Black HI V/AIDS Awareness Day."

WHEREAS, February 7, 2005 is the fifth annual observance of “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day,” a day in which events will occur throughout the nation to bring attention to the devastation that HIV/AIDS causes in the African American and other communities of color and the need for increased prevention and education efforts; and

WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, as of December 2004, African Americans, combined with other Black races, represented sixty-six percent (66%) of all reported AIDS cases since 1981, a number that far exceeds their percentage of the Philadelphia population; and

WHEREAS, Two of the leaders in coordinating events for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Philadelphia are the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”) and the North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition; and

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 removing all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes; seeks to enact and enforce federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights; informs the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and seeks its elimination; and educates persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action in furtherance of these principles; and

WHEREAS, The primary focus of the Philadelphia NAACP continues to be the protection and enhancement of the civil rights and well being of African Americans and other minorities; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Philadelphia NAACP Health Committee is to alert and educate its members and the community-at-large about prevention and elimination of health disparities such as the horrible effects of HIV and AIDS not just on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, but every day; and

WHEREAS, The North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition (“Coalition”) is an umbrella organization for a number of committed organizations that are tireless in their efforts to address a variety of health needs for people of color; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia NAACP and the Coalition is joined in its efforts by State Senator Vincent Hughes, State Representative Jewell Williams, Mayor’s Office of Health & Fitness, Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, Concerned Black Men of Philadelphia, National Medical Association, University of Pennsylvania-Center for AIDS Research, Keystone Mercy, AIDS Activities Coordinating Office-Philadelphia Department of Public Health, AIDS Law Project, St. Christopher’s Hospital, Black Women’s Health Alliance, One Day At A Time, Circle of Care Family Planning Council, Greater Philadelphia Health Action, and Women’s Christian Alliance; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that we join with the Philadelphia NAACP and the North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition to express our strong support for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and their health initiatives to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend the Philadelphia NAACP and the North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition on the occasion of ‘National Black HI V/AIDS Awareness Day.”

FURTHER RESOLVED, That Engrossed copies 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.

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