WHEREAS, The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have created one of the worst public health crisis in recent history; and
WHEREAS, Even with the increased availability of life-saving medications, the number of those affected by AIDS continues to grow; and
WHEREAS, As of June 2012, it is estimated that there are over 40,000 people living with HIV in Philadelphia, with one in five unaware of their status;
and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia FIGHT has sponsored AIDS Education Month for the last 18 years to educate the community that the AIDS crisis is not over; and
WHEREAS, AIDS Education Month features a variety of free programs open to the public about HIV awareness, prevention and treatment; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia FIGHT was founded in 1990 as a community-based AIDS research organization and expanded to meet the area's growing needs by establishing the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center, the largest HIV primary-care clinic in the region, serving more than 1,300 clients per year; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia FIGHT has run vital and continuous HIV and AIDS education programs for every facet of the community for more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, This year, the theme of AIDS Education Month is Prevention, Treatment, Justice, with efforts focusing on encouraging everyone to know their HIV status and assuring that those who test positive for HIV have access to quality medical care; and
WHEREAS, During the month of June, the citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to learn about the risk of HIV and, above all, to get tested, seek treatment if infected and share knowledge about HIV testing, treatment and prevention; now, therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby designates the month of June 2012 as AIDS Education Month in Philadelphia.
End