Whereas, More than 40,000 citizens in the United States are becoming infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus every year, and more than 1 million people in the U.S. are already infected with HIV, including an estimated 16,200 Michigan citizens; and, 

Whereas, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is an important day to acknowledge the contribution of thousands of study volunteers, scientists, and health professionals committed to finding a safe and effective vaccine; and,

Whereas, An HIV vaccine does not exist, which would be a part of comprehensive strategy to control the spread of HIV/AIDS; and,

Whereas, Current medical treatments have been able to provide relief for many, but not all HIV infected persons, and because the expense of care is beyond the reach for many HIV infected persons, the development of a vaccine becomes even more imperative; and,

Whereas, Developing a safe, effective and affordable vaccine that can prevent HIV infection in uninfected people is recognized as the best hope for ending the AIDS epidemic; and,

Whereas, Community support is essential in an effort to break down stigma and myths about HIV vaccine research; and,

Whereas, More HIV vaccines are being tested than ever before, and the number of HIV vaccine trial sites is expanding worldwide; vaccines to prevent HIV infection offer the best hope of controlling the global pandemic and,

Whereas, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is commemorated by wearing an upside-down AIDS ribbon to form a “V” to show personal awareness about HIV vaccine research; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That, I Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 18, 2006, as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day in Michigan, and I encourage all community-based organizations, local health departments, religious communities, civic groups, concerned citizens, and others to utilize this day to learn about HIV vaccine research and be a part of making an HIV vaccine a reality.