Senate Resolution No. 637 BY: Senator THOMAS MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 27, 2023, as HIV Testing Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious public health issues that affect the lives of the residents of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 27, 2023, as HIV Testing Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National HIV Testing Day; and WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control"; and WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in seven do not know they are infected; and WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day presents an annual reminder for people nationwide to learn their HIV status, and to gain the knowledge they need to take control of their health and their lives; and WHEREAS, National HIV Testing Day also provides an invaluable opportunity to dispel the myths and stigma associated with HIV testing, and to reach those who have never been tested or who have engaged in high-risk behavior since their last test; and WHEREAS, Since the mid-1990s, the number of people who are diagnosed with HIV each year has remained relatively stable at about 50,000 infections per year; however, certain groups, including African Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all races/ethnicities, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV; and WHEREAS, Of particular concern is the significant increase in new infections among young gay and bisexual men; nationally, between 2010 to 2016, young men ages 13-24 had a 22 percent increase in new infections, and young black men in that group now account for more new HIV infections than any other subgroup by race/ethnicity, age, and gender; and WHEREAS, New York State leads the nation in the number of new HIV cases, with more than 2,100 new diagnoses in 2017; and WHEREAS, As of 2012, approximately 129,000 people are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in New York State; almost 80 percent live in New York City; and WHEREAS, 77 percent of people living with HIV in New York are over 40 years old, and 42 percent of positive New Yorkers are over 50 years old; and WHEREAS, To date, over 125,000 New Yorkers have died from AIDS-related causes, yet nearly 20 percent do not know they are infected; and WHEREAS, It is crucial that days such as National HIV Testing Day are observed in order to continue to raise awareness and eventually halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in communities throughout the State of New York, the United States of America, and around the world; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 27, 2023, as HIV Testing Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.