Whereas, Data from the Michigan Department of Community Health and other national sources clearly illustrates the impact of AIDS on African Americans and the current health crisis that continues to affect the African American community as a result; and,

Whereas, HIV/AIDS is an increasing critical health issue for African Americans, as the disease disproportionately affects more members of this community than any other racial or ethnic group; and,

Whereas, The HIV/AIDS epidemic has impacted African Americans in Michigan greatly, as they represent14 percent of Michigan’s population, yet nearly 58 percent of the cases of individuals living with HIV or AIDS are among people of color; and,

Whereas, African Americans are more than eight times likely to be infected with HIV than whites in Michigan; and nationally, African Americans are less likely to receive early care, treatment, and appropriate medication and die sooner from HIV disease than whites; and,

Whereas, Federal resources have decreased over the past five years while the number of African Americans–men, women, and children living with and dying from HIV--continue 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, including HIV/AIDS, in communities of color; and,

Whereas, Individuals, communities, businesses, churches, and government must not become complacent about the terrible toll HIV/AIDS has taken - and continues to have - on our country’s African American 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 African American community by encouraging individuals to get educated about HIV/AIDS, get tested and know their test results, get involved in advocating for resources necessary to fight this disease, and get treated if they have tested positive for HIV or been diagnosed with AIDS; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby encourage all Michigan residents to strongly support the second annual “Black AIDS Awareness Campaign” and participate in the many events that are planned across the state from February 1 to March 12, 2006.