The Pima County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring May 16 to be “International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day”. This candlelight ceremony in memory of those who have died from AIDS will be at Himmel Park tonight at the amphitheater, from 6 to 8 p.m. Please join the Tucson community in the fight against AIDS. There will be music, speakers, performances, the AIDS Ribbon on display, the AIDS timeline, information tables at this family-friend event. Lighting of candles begins at 7:30 p.m.

AIDS ribbon

Read the full text of the Resolution below, unanimously (5-0) passed by the Board on May 11, 2010 and signed by Board Chair Ramon Valadez.

“WHEREAS, people of Pima County will join those in more than 1,200 other communities in more than 100 countries to observe the 27th annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world; and

WHEREAS, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is based on four simple principles: to honor the memory of those lost to AIDS; to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS; to raise community awareness and eliminate stigma related to HIV and AIDS; and to mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS; and

WHEREAS, our observance in Pima County derives from the cooperation of many local agencies, including AIDS Ribbon Tucson, Be Positive Tucson, City of Tucson Human Relations Commission, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, and Wingspan; and

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to impact the lives of citizens of all ages, races, and genders living and working in Pima County and across Southern Arizona.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pima County Board of Supervisors hereby declares May 16, 2010, to be:
“INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL DAY”
in Pima County, and encourages everyone to join together in the family-friendly International AIDS Candlelight Memorial event in Himmel Park on Sunday, May 16, at 6 p.m.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of May, 2010.”

One of my dear friends F. Leo Brown died from AIDS in 1991 in New York City. I will light a candle in his memory tonight. For more info: www.candlelightmemorial.org.
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