Whereas, The joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that over 45 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV and AIDS, with more than 5 million new infections this past year; and,

Whereas, The American Association for World Health is encouraging a better understanding of the challenges of HIV and AIDS nationally and globally, as it recognizes the impact that stigma and discrimination play in responding effectively to the challenges posed by poverty, racism, homophobia, misogyny and the lack of life-saving medications and adequate health care; and,

Whereas, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to focus on the current issues and strategies affecting the global fight against HIV and AIDS and underscoring the enormous impact that the HIV disease has on our global community; and,

Whereas, In the hardest hit region of the world, sub-Saharan Africa, there are over 29.4 million people currently living with HIV and AIDS with approximately 3.5 million new infections occurring and over 2.4 million deaths in 2002; and,

Whereas, With this year’s theme, “Live and Let Live” – Fighting Stigma and Discrimination, the world community is encouraged to work together to ensure that people living with HIV and AIDS throughout the world, are treated with dignity and respect and are given access to life saving treatments; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2003, as World AIDS Day in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to participate in activities and observances designed to increase the awareness and understanding of HIV and AIDS as a global challenge and to take part in AIDS prevention activities and support local programs that work to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.