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Recognizing and honoring David Acosta and GALAEI on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the GALAEI Latino A.I.D.S. Education Initiative.
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WHEREAS, Until 1989 there was not a single local, state, or national program to support and serve H.I.V./A.I.D.S. education or prevention within the Latino and G.L.B.T. communities in the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, David Acosta founded the The Gay and Lesbian Latino A.I.D.S. Education Iniative in 1989 alongisde fellow community activists who recognized the lack of support for and sought to address the growing problem of H.I.V/A.I.D.S. within their community, and foster a relationship between the G.L.B.T. and Latino communities; and
WHEREAS, David Acosta served as the Executive Director of The Gay and Lesbian Latino A.I.D.S. Education Initiative for its first ten years, and oversaw the successful implementation and integration of the agency into the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Gay and Lesbian Latino A.I.D.S. Education Initiative is one of the oldest Latino H.IV./A.I.D.S. service agencies in the country, and the only service agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which aims to serve the Latino and G.L.B.T. communities and provide them with the necessary support for addressing the growing H.I.V./A.I.D.S. crisis; and
WHEREAS, The Gay and Lesbian Latino A.I.D.S. Education Initiative provides support for by offering free H.I.V. testing and counseling, prevention education targeted to youth in the community, and works with individuals on a one-on-one basis to provide emotional and social support; and
WHEREAS, The Gay and Lesbian Latino A.I.D.S. Education Initiative will host its 20th Anniversary celebration entitled Revolutionary Family: From Cowboys to Mpact on April 16, 2010 at the Gershman Y in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, David Acosta will be honored with the Revolutionary Leader Award, for his inspirational commitment and dedication to organizing, supporting, and fighting for people living with H.I.V./A.I.D.S. within the G.L.B.T. and Latino communities, as well as their families and friends.
THEREFORE, By the virtue of this Citation, The Council of The City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes and honors David Acosta. We offer our sincerest gratitude for your limitless passion and commitment for fighting for the H.I.V./A.I.D.S. community and its allies. You have inspired and educated countless residents of Philadelphia and beyond, and we look forward to many more years of commitment, hard work, support, and success!
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