2015 Senate Joint Resolution 16
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming the first week in March as the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.
Whereas, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that affects one's immune system, specifically attacking one's T-cells, leaving one unable to fight infections and diseases; and
Whereas, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of the HIV infection and a stage to which a person progresses when his or her immune system is severely damaged, but is not a stage experienced by everyone who has HIV; and
Whereas, unless the course of HIV in the United States changes, an estimated one in 16 black men and one in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection at some point in their lifetime; and
Whereas, African Americans face a number of challenges that contribute to the higher rates of HIV infection, including limited access to high-quality health care and medication, housing, and HIV prevention education; and
Whereas, as shown during the 1970s and 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis across our country, outreach, education, and prevention help to curb the spread of the disease and save lives in the LGBT community; and
Whereas, the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Wisconsin mobilizes area churches to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS; and
Whereas, the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is a faith-based initiative supported by the Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) and Pastors United; and
Whereas, the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS serves as an opportunity for all sectors of the Wisconsin community to become more supportive, aware, and involved in the effort to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community; and
Whereas, the African American community, with the guidance of area churches, needs to create a dialogue of awareness about HIV and its impact on the lives of fellow African Americans in order to fight stigma by showing that persons with HIV are real people — mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and wives and husbands; and
Whereas, through the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Wisconsin, MICAH and Pastors United will help to create community discussion and awareness while advocating for HIV/AIDS services in the African American community; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature hereby proclaims the first week in March as the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.
