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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 50
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes April 17, 2014, as HIV/AIDS Legislative
Awareness Day at the state capitol
A RESOLUTION1
To recognize April 17, 2014, as HIV/AIDS Legislative Awareness Day and to welcome the2
members of the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network to the state capitol.3
WHEREAS, the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network (LAAN) serves as a statewide4
network to build the capacity of all HIV/AIDS community stakeholders and empower them5
to strategically engage legislators to keep HIV/AIDS a priority; and6
WHEREAS, the LAAN was established in August 2002 in response to excessive7
delays in receiving executed grant contracts from the state and local governments, which8
made it difficult to deliver services to clients and created concern for infected and affected9
individuals; and10
WHEREAS, at that time, the political and social climate of the state was not11
sympathetic with the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives and began a12
campaign to reign in condom distribution; as a result, the coalition of executive directors of13
HIV/AIDS advocacy groups saw the need to expand to include members of the affected14
community to advocate for the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and to educate the15
public officials about the epidemic; and16
WHEREAS, with financial assistance from the pharmaceutical industry, the coalition17
called a meeting in Alexandria, Louisiana, of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS,18
to brainstorm on how to make the community at large aware of the rapid expansion of the19
epidemic and its devastating effects; and20 HLS 14RS-2358 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, the result of this meeting was the formation of the LAAN on August 28,1
2002; it called for an organizational structure consisting of a steering committee of nineteen2
members selected to represent each of the nine Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH)3
Regions; and4
WHEREAS, in 2003, the first event of the newly formed LAAN was held at the state5
capitol during the legislative session to educate legislators about the epidemic; the event was6
done in conjunction with the Louisiana Commission on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, a7
legislatively mandated body with the mission of educating and advising the governor and8
the legislature on issues relating to HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C; and9
WHEREAS, this event became known as Legislative Awareness Day and has taken10
place every year since 2003, with growing attendance; LAAN has actively monitored the11
legislative sessions, to promote healthy legislation and caution against detrimental laws; and12
WHEREAS, the purpose of this day is to educate legislators about the monetary and13
health costs and the impact of HIV/AIDS to Louisiana, to challenge legislators to support14
appropriate resource allocation for HIV/AIDS treatment and research, and to hold legislators15
accountable for commitments that they make in support of HIV/AIDS legislation; and16
WHEREAS, the LAAN seeks to provide strategic leadership in HIV/AIDS advocacy17
that is powerful, effective, committed, and inclusive, and done with integrity using factual18
information in order to motivate those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS and influence19
those who make policy decisions; and20
WHEREAS, the LAAN merits the highest measure of commendation for its service21
to the citizens of Louisiana who have been diagnosed with or have been affected by22
HIV/AIDS and for its commitment and steadfast dedication to eradicating HIV/AIDS.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the24
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize April 17, 2014, as HIV/AIDS Legislative25
Awareness Day, does hereby welcome the members of the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy26
Network to the state capitol, does hereby recognize the LAAN as vital to improving27
advocacy for all people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS throughout Louisiana, does28
hereby commend the members of the LAAN as they seek to change fundamental failings in29
the relevant political and social systems in order to garner social justice for all people living30 HLS 14RS-2358 ORIGINAL
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with HIV/AIDS in the state, and does hereby extend the very best wishes for continued1
success to the leaders and members of the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted3
to the executive director of the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network.4
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Smith HR No. 50
Recognizes April 17, 2014, as HIV/AIDS Legislative Awareness Day and welcomes the
members of the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network to the state capitol.