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2 <br />WORLD AIDS DAY • DECEMBER 1, 1999 <br />Whereas the global spread of HIV infection and AIDS necessitates a worldwide effort to <br />increase communication, education and action to stop the spread of HIV /AIDS; and, <br />Whereas the joint United Nations Program on HIV /AIDS (UNAIDS) observes December 1 <br />of each year as World AIDS Day; and, <br />Whereas UNAIDS estimates that 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV /AIDS, <br />with young people under the age of 25 accounting for more than half of all new infections; and, <br />Whereas the American Association for World Health is encouraging a better understanding of <br />the challenge of HIV /AIDS nationally as it recognizes that the number of people diagnosed <br />with HIV and AIDS in the United States continues to increase, with 688,200 AIDS cases <br />reported as of December, 1998; and, <br />Whereas World AIDS day provides an opportunity to focus on HIV infection and AIDS, caring <br />for people with HIV infection and AIDS, and learning about HIV and AIDS; and, <br />Whereas the 1999 World AIDS Day theme, AIDS — End the Silence, Listen, Live! encourages <br />us to (a) listen to young people, hear their views and concerns, and engage them in conversation <br />about issues concerning sex, sexuality, and HIV /AIDS; (b) learn from one another about <br />respect, participating, support, and ways to prevent HIV infection; and (c) live in a world where <br />fewer people are infected with HIV, where the rights of young people are protected, and where <br />those living with HIV /AIDS are cared for and are free from discrimination; and, <br />Whereas 136 Orange County residents are currently living with HIV /AIDS and another 62 have <br />died. <br />Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />do hereby declare that Orange County will observe World AIDS day on December 1, 1999; we <br />urge all citizens to take part in activities and observances designed to increase awareness and <br />understanding of HIV /AIDS as a global challenge, to take part in HIV /AIDS prevention activities <br />and programs, and to join the global effort to prevent the further spread of HIV /AIDS. <br />Alice Gordon, Chair <br />Orange County Commissioners <br />