Whereas, The global spread of HIV infection and AIDS necessitates a worldwide effort to increase communication, education and action to stop the further spread of HIV disease; and,

Whereas, The joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that over 45 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV and AIDS, with more than 5 million new infections this past year; and,

Whereas, The American Association for World Health is encouraging a better understanding of the challenges of HIV and AIDS nationally and globally, as it recognizes the impact of the AIDS pandemic on women and girls; and,

Whereas, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to focus on the current issues and strategies affecting the global fight against HIV and AIDS and underscoring the enormous impact that the HIV disease has on our global community; and,

Whereas, Globally, women account for almost half of adults living with HIV and are heavily affected by gender and cultural inequalities, violence, and ignorance; and,

Whereas, In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are over 29.4 million people currently living with HIV and AIDS and 57 percent of those are women; and,

Whereas, Worldwide, in 1997, 41 percent of the individuals living with HIV were women; by 2002 this figure rose to almost 50 percent; and,

Whereas, Over 40,000 new HIV infections occur each year, with 30 percent of those occurring in women, and within the State of Michigan an estimated 3,600 women are living with HIV and AIDS; with 25 percent of new infections occurring among women; and,

Whereas, With this year’s theme, “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS,” the world community is encouraged to work together to ensure that women and girls living with HIV and AIDS throughout the world are treated with dignity and respect and are given access to life saving treatments; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2004, as World AIDS Day in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to participate in activities and observances designed to increase the awareness and understanding of HIV and AIDS as a global challenge and to take part in AIDS prevention activities and support local programs that work to prevent the further spread of HIV and AIDS.