Declaring December 1st World AIDS Day in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The concept of observing World AIDS Day was the brainchild of Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS, at the World Health Organization and, in 1988, at the World Summit of Ministers of Health, programs for AIDS prevention and the concept of a World AIDS Day was supported by all participating nations and, in October, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized this concept and the World Health Organization declared December 1, 1988, as the first World AIDS Day; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, an organization known as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (“UNAIDS”) was formed to plan and promote the awareness of the World AIDS Day and in 1997, UNAIDS strived to create an awareness regarding the causes of AIDS by propagating year-round communications through a campaign known as the World AIDS Campaign; and

WHEREAS, In addition to raising awareness, World AIDS Day is also about raising money, fighting prejudice, and improving education, because it is important to remind people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things that still need to be done; and

WHEREAS, There are an estimated 38.6 million people in the world living with HIV, including 10 million between the ages of 15 and 24, and last year, some 4.1 million people became newly infected with the virus; and

WHEREAS, According to the Philadelphia Department of Health, there are about 30,000 people living with HIV in the Greater Philadelphia Region and Philadelphia has HIV infection rates 5 times higher than the national average and double that of New York City; and

WHEREAS, To promote local awareness, AIDS Fund will again participate in a number of World AIDS Day events throughout the Philadelphia Region, displaying the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and providing

opportunities for people to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and, commemorate those we've lost;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes December 1st as World AIDS Day.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of AIDS Fund as a sincere expression of City Council’s gratitude and appreciation for their ongoing efforts to raise the public’s awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and address this ongoing health crisis.

End