LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 20, 2014, as Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Native
HIV/AIDS Awareness 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 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 20, 2014, as Native HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) is a national
mobilization effort designed to encourage Natives (American Indians,
Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians) across the United States and Terri-
torial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved in prevention and
get treated for HIV and AIDS; and
WHEREAS, The first day of Spring, March 20, was selected as the annual
date to observe NNHAAD by participants in a national survey, who chose
it due to the significance of this day in many Native cultures across
the United States; Spring represents a time of equality and balance as
the only day when day and night are at equal lengths; it is considered a
time of profound change, new beginnings and birth, a celebration of life
for all people; and
WHEREAS, HIV is a public health issue among the approximately 5.2
million American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the United States,
representing about 1.7% of the population; and
WHEREAS, The impact of HIV/AIDS in these communities is dispropor-
tionate to the size of their population; Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific
Islanders and American Indians/Alaska Natives have the 3rd and 4th high-
est rate of new HIV infections, respectively; in 2008, the rate was
22.85 per 100,000 persons for Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders,
and 11.9 per 100,000 for American Indians/Alaska Natives, compared to
8.2 per 100,000 for Whites; and
WHEREAS, Although national estimates show that Native Hawaiians and
other Pacific Islanders are not greatly affected by HIV, current esti-
mates of HIV and AIDS diagnoses among this population may be too low
because of race/ethnicity misclassification, potentially masking the
real impact of HIV on this population; and
WHEREAS, Of persons who were diagnosed with AIDS, American Indians and
Alaskan Natives with AIDS survived a shorter time than other races and
ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, American Indians/Alaska Natives face significant HIV
prevention challenges, including poverty, high rates of STIs, and stig-
ma; and
WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National Native HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day are observed in order to continue to raise awareness and
eventually halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, not only among American Indians,
Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, but across
all 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 20, 2014, as
Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction
with the observance of National Native HIV/AIDS 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.