LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 18, 2014, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National HIV Vaccine Aware-
ness Day

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 citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 18, 2014, HIV Vaccine
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) is an annual event estab-
lished to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers, community
members, health professionals, and scientists who are working together
to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine; it is also a day to educate
our Nation's communities about the importance of preventive HIV vaccine
research; and
WHEREAS, More than 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV,
and more than 20 million lives have been lost due to HIV and AIDS
related illness; the need for an HIV vaccine remains urgent; once
infected, most people will eventually need to stay on treatment for the
rest of their lives; and
WHEREAS, In addition, treatments are complex, costly, and only slow
the disease, there is no cure; to ensure the end of the HIV and AIDS
epidemic, prevention is essential; and
WHEREAS, A vaccine helps our body learn how to fight off a virus, such
as HIV; a preventive HIV vaccine would protect HIV-negative people from
being infected with the disease; and
WHEREAS, The long-term goal is to develop a vaccine that protects
everyone from getting infected with HIV, however, even a vaccine that
protects only some people would still be very helpful; such a vaccine
could decrease the number of people who are infected with HIV, which
would reduce the number of people who can pass the virus on to others;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, researchers are looking to see whether HIV
vaccines could help people who are already infected with HIV; if effec-
tive, such a vaccine would teach the body to control HIV infection, so
the progression from silent HIV infection to full-blown AIDS would
happen much more slowly or could even be stopped; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, community activ-
ities and media events will be held across the United States to educate
communities throughout the country on the importance of preventative HIV
and AIDS research; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious public health issue, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 18, 2014, HIV
Vaccine Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.