Senate Resolution No. 637

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 27, 2023, as HIV Testing Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious public
health issues that affect the lives of the residents of New York State;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 27, 2023, as HIV Testing Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
HIV Testing Day; and

WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign to encourage
people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control"; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living
with HIV, and almost one in seven do not know they are infected; and

WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day presents an annual reminder for
people nationwide to learn their HIV status, and to gain the knowledge
they need to take control of their health and their lives; and

WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day also provides an invaluable
opportunity to dispel the myths and stigma associated with HIV testing,
and to reach those who have never been tested or who have engaged in
high-risk behavior since their last test; and

WHEREAS, Since the mid-1990s, the number of people who are diagnosed
with HIV each year has remained relatively stable at about 50,000
infections per year; however, certain groups, including African
Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all races/ethnicities,
continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV; and

WHEREAS, Of particular concern is the significant increase in new
infections among young gay and bisexual men; nationally, between 2010 to
2016, young men ages 13-24 had a 22 percent increase in new infections,
and young black men in that group now account for more new HIV
infections than any other subgroup by race/ethnicity, age, and gender;
and

WHEREAS, New York State leads the nation in the number of new HIV
cases, with more than 2,100 new diagnoses in 2017; and

WHEREAS, As of 2012, approximately 129,000 people are diagnosed with
HIV/AIDS in New York State; almost 80 percent live in New York City; and

WHEREAS, 77 percent of people living with HIV in New York are over
40 years old, and 42 percent of positive New Yorkers are over 50 years
old; and

WHEREAS, To date, over 125,000 New Yorkers have died from
AIDS-related causes, yet nearly 20 percent do not know they are
infected; and

WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National HIV Testing Day
are observed in order to continue to raise awareness and eventually halt
the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities throughout the State of New York,
the United States of America, and around the world; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 27, 2023, as HIV
Testing Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.