78R8769 JHS-D

By:  Coleman                                                    H.C.R. No. 148



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, AIDS remains a major global health problem, yet 
thanks to the availability of improved treatments and the efforts 
of organizations such as the AIDS Coalition of Texas Now! (ACT 
Now!), more Texans than ever before are living and working with 
HIV/AIDS; and
	WHEREAS, A statewide volunteer coalition of individuals who 
either have HIV/AIDS or know someone affected by HIV/AIDS, ACT Now! 
seeks to empower individuals infected or affected by HIV/AIDS by 
serving as a unified voice in matters related to legislation, 
appropriations, education, prevention, treatment, and service 
delivery on the local, state, and national levels; and
	WHEREAS, Members of ACT Now! have dedicated themselves to 
disseminating messages that promote early testing and early 
treatment, while at the same time improving access to appropriate 
prevention services and health care options; the coalition also 
encourages the reduction of behavior that has a high risk of leading 
to contraction of the disease; and
	WHEREAS,  Despite the dramatic decline of AIDS-related  
deaths and an overall decrease in the number of new AIDS cases 
diagnosed, there remains much to be done in the battle to find a 
cure for this terrible disease; HIV/AIDS is a health concern that 
affects all Texans, either directly or indirectly, and it is in the 
best interest of the citizens of this state to recognize the issues 
associated with HIV/AIDS; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby designate March 26, 2003, as ACT Now! Day at the Capitol and 
extend a warm welcome to members of the AIDS Coalition of Texas Now!