LATE ADOPTED - OCTOBER 14, 2003

Agenda Item No. 26

Introduced by the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 15, 2003 AS "NATIONAL LATINO AIDS AWARENESS DAY" IN INGHAM COUNTY

RESOLUTION #03-263

WHEREAS, one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in Ingham County is the Latino community; and

WHEREAS, through dedication to family, diversity, work and cultural richness Latinos are making a critical contribution to life in our community; and

WHEREAS, it is critical to raise awareness of the potential for HIV infection in the Latino public and to offer expanded culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV testing and prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, HIV prevention programs for Latinos must target those who are at high risk for infection but are HIV negative, as well as those men and women who are HIV positive and should also provide counseling and offer HIV testing to pregnant Latinas; and

WHEREAS, the extended Latino family has been challenged by AIDS to find new reservoirs of compassion, and to confront difficult issues such as drug use and sexuality; and

WHEREAS, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is intended to promote HIV prevention efforts in the Latino community that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and effective, and to support efforts to overcome the stigma and discrimination that so often accompanies the disease; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims October 15, 2003 as "National Latino AIDS Awareness Day" in Ingham and urges all citizens to utilize this day to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.