Whereas, HIV/AIDS is a health crisis which continues to devastate the Black community; and,

Whereas, The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a disproportionate impact on Blacks in Michigan, with Blacks representing 14 percent of Michigan’s population yet representing nearly 60 percent of the cases of individuals living with HIV and 57 percent of those living with AIDS; and,

Whereas, Blacks are 8 times more likely to be infected with HIV than whites in Michigan; and,

Whereas, Nationally, HIV infections among Black women have grown disproportionately to other populations, and HIV is the leading cause of death for Black women ages 25 and 44; and,

Whereas, Nationally, Blacks are less likely to receive early care, treatment and appropriate medication and die sooner from HIV disease than whites; and,

Whereas, Federal dollars have remained level or decreased over the past few years while the number of Blacks living with, and dying from, HIV continues to rise;  and,

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Community Health is committed to the health and safety of all people and to reducing health disparities in HIV and other health condition s in minorities; and,

Whereas, Individuals, communities, businesses, churches, and government must not become complacent about the terrible toll HIV/AIDS has had, and continues to have, on the Black community; and,

Whereas, Continued investment in prevention, care and awareness programs are essential to the goal of a world without AIDS; and,

Whereas, The Black AIDS Awareness Campaign provides an opportunity to fight HIV/AIDS in the Black community by encouraging individuals to get educated about HIV/AIDS, get tested and know their test results, and get involved in advocating for resources necessary to fight this disease; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 1 through March 19, 2005, as the first annual “Black AIDS Awareness Campaign” in Michigan and encourage all Michigan residents to strongly support this campaign and participate in events that are planned across the state.