Reps. Murphy, Ehardt, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Dennis, DeRossett, Elkins, Garfield, Gleason, Hopgood, Jamnick, Kolb, Lipsey, McConico, Milosch, Minore, Nofs, O'Neil, Rivet, Sak, Spade, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Zelenko and Phillips offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 145.

            A resolution proclaiming October 15, 2003, as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

            Whereas, HIV infection has been a fact of life in Latino communities throughout the United States for over 20 years.  Latinos make up 14 percent of the United States and territories population which accounts for 19 percent of the 40,000 new HIV infections estimated to occur in the United States each year; and

            Whereas, HIV was the leading cause of death for Latinos ages 24 through 44 in 2000.  At the end of 2001, there were 71,294 Latinos estimated living with AIDS, or one-fifth of all people estimated to be living with AIDS in the United States; and

            Whereas, In Michigan, Latinos comprise 3 percent of the general population and 3 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States; and

            Whereas, AIDS has challenged the extended Latino family to find new reservoirs of compassion, and to confront difficult issues such as drug use and sexuality; and

            Whereas, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day brings an opportunity to increase community awareness and dialogue, to commemorate those lost and to bring leaders together to advocate for greater services and community involvement to fight this epidemic; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body hereby proclaim October 15, 2003, as Latino AIDS Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.  We urge all community-based organizations, religious communities, civic groups, elected officials, and government agencies to utilize this day to raise awareness of AIDS in the Latino community.