RESOLUTION NO. 050284

Declaring the week of March 4-12, 2005, as the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City.

WHEREAS, the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City is an effort to mobilize area African-American churches; and

WHEREAS, the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City has existed in the Kansas City community since 1997; and

WHEREAS, the Black Church Week of Prayer is a certified partner of the Annual Harlem Week of Prayer and is sponsored by the Balm In Gilead, Inc., which was organized in 1995; and

WHEREAS, the Black Church Week of Prayer receives technical assistance from the Balm In Gilead as well as the AIDS Council of Greater Kansas and the Calvary Community Outreach Network which are the local sponsors; and

WHEREAS, all activities of the Black Church Week of Prayer are coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers including clergy and lay leaders from Black churches, elected officials, community leaders, representatives from public health agencies/community-based organizations throughout the metropolitan area and people living with HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, the proportion of HIV disease within Greater Kansas Citys African-American community is three times the proportion of African-Americans in the general population of Greater Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, African-Americans represented more than half of all new, local HIV cases; and

WHEREAS, events included in the Black Church Week of Prayer are worship services, speakers, workshops, dramatic presentations, concerts, exhibits and a community mobilization plan; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby declares the week of March 4-12, 2005, as the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Reverend Eric Williams, Chairman of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City, Reverend David Gilmore, Co-Chairman of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS of Greater Kansas City and to the AIDS Council of Greater Kansas City, in appreciation by the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for their dedication and support for the healing of AIDS in our community

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