SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 443

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens across the country in recognizing March 10, 2007, as National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Since 1981, more than 535,000 Americans have died of AIDS, over 36,000 of whom were living in Texas; today, more than 430,000 Americans are living with AIDS, and more than 32,000 of them live in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Of the AIDS population in America today, over 100,000 are women and girls, and over 6,000 of them are living in Texas; women and girls made up over 22 percent of all new AIDS cases in Texas in 2005, compared to 14 percent of the cumulative cases of AIDS in Texas since 1981; and

WHEREAS, Women and girls of color constitute 80 percent of all estimated female AIDS cases nationwide, and African Americans make up 64 percent of the total alone; and

WHEREAS, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was launched in 2006 to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls; the theme for the 2007 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is "Taking Action to Save Our Lives"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby declare March 10, 2007, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Texas and urge all citizens of the state to be aware of and educate others about today's statistics; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in observance of this day. Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 12, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate