H.R. No. 410
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS constitutes a global health crisis: more
than 30 million people around the world are currently infected, and
no cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes
AIDS, has yet been developed; and
WHEREAS, In Texas, over 60,000 individuals are presently
living with HIV/AIDS, and more than 5,000 cases of HIV are diagnosed
each year; AIDS-related deaths in the state number approximately
1,000 annually; and
WHEREAS, Early testing is critical to preventing further
spread of the disease and also to getting medication that can slow
its progress, and many people are tested too late; one in three
Texans who are newly diagnosed with HIV has already developed AIDS;
late testing is especially common among older Texans; senior
citizens with HIV/AIDS face a double stigma: ageism and infection
with a sexually or IV-drug transmitted disease; and
WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to pose a critical threat to
public health in the Lone Star State, and it is essential that
Texans be able to meet this challenge through adequate awareness
and understanding; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2009, as HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day in the State of Texas and that citizens throughout the
state be encouraged to educate themselves about the nature,
prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Giddings
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 410 was adopted by the House on
February 11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House