* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
In Support - National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS - March 6 -12, 2011
FOR the purpose of expressing support for The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, the coming together of all people of faith to unite with purpose, compassion, and hope to educate every American about HIV prevention facts; to encourage and support HIV testing; to advocate for the compassionate care and treatment of those living with the disease in every community in America; and to love unconditionally all persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
body
Recitals
The mission of the Balm in Gilead, sponsor of the week of prayer, is to prevent diseases and to improve the health status of people in the African Diaspora by providing support to faith institutions in areas of program design, implementation, and evaluation that strengthens their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities.
The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is the inclusive, expansion of the highly successful Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which concluded its 20th year anniversary in 2009. The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS was the nation's first national mobilization campaign that specifically focused on HIV/AIDS. The campaign has provided AIDS information to well-over 5 million African Americans through the engagement of Black congregations of every sector across the United States.
In the ACT!ON Newsletter, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Director, in calling for a Heightened National Response to the epidemic, states: "As you already know all too well, the burden of HIV in African American communities is staggering. Here - in the United States - CDC estimates that 1 out of every 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetimes. One in 16. And 1 in 30 black women will be diagnosed with HIV. These statistics are certainly alarming and underscore the need for all of us to do more to fight the further spread of HIV and its effects in our communities."
Baltimore City has a particular need to educate our citizens about HIV/AIDS. AIDS Action Baltimore, Inc., reports that in 2008, Baltimore-Towson ranked 4th among metropolitan areas for new reports of AIDS cases. Maryland ranked second among states and territories in AIDS cases, reporting 27.6 cases per 100,000 population. Statistics from 2006 indicate that 1 out of every 161 people in Maryland and 1 out of every 41 people in Baltimore City were living with HIV/AIDS. 6 new cases are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS every 4 hours in Maryland and every 8 hours in Baltimore City.
The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is particularly significant as it also encompasses the March 10, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action against the epidemic and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls - nearly 280,000 women in the United States. While men account for most HIV/AIDS cases, the impact on women is growing. In Baltimore, 86% of new HIV cases in 2006 were among blacks, and 37% of new cases were women. Nationwide, black and Hispanic women represented 80% of new HIV and AIDS cases among women in 2005.
Statistics show that education works towards the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS. Once people know they are HIV positive, they are 8 more times less likely to practice risky behavior. People also need to know they are HIV positive so that they can take advantage of all treatments available. As AIDs Action holds: "Like all diseases, the sooner you treat HIV, the better your chances of survival."
The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is applauded as an invaluable effort by the faith-based community to contribute to the eradication of HIV/AIDS through prayer, education, advocacy, and service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, the coming together of all people of faith to unite with purpose, compassion, and hope to educate every American about HIV prevention facts; encourages and supports HIV testing; advocates for the compassionate care and treatment of those living with the disease in every community in America; and advocates that people love unconditionally all persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Executive Director, the Balm in Gilead, Inc., the Faith-Based Liaison for the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood, the Inter-faith Coordinator for the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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