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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS constitutes a global health crisis: more |
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than 30 million people around the world are currently infected, and |
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no cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes |
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AIDS, has yet been developed; and |
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WHEREAS, In Texas, over 60,000 individuals are presently |
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living with HIV/AIDS, and more than 5,000 cases of HIV are diagnosed |
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each year; AIDS-related deaths in the state number approximately |
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1,000 annually; and |
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WHEREAS, Early testing is critical to preventing further |
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spread of the disease and also to getting medication that can slow |
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its progress, and many people are tested too late; one in three |
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Texans who are newly diagnosed with HIV has already developed AIDS; |
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late testing is especially common among older Texans; senior |
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citizens with HIV/AIDS face a double stigma: ageism and infection |
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with a sexually or IV-drug transmitted disease; and |
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WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to pose a critical threat to |
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public health in the Lone Star State, and it is essential that |
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Texans be able to meet this challenge through adequate awareness |
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and understanding; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2009, as HIV/AIDS |
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Awareness Day in the State of Texas and that citizens throughout the |
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state be encouraged to educate themselves about the nature, |
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prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS. |