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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY�S �TAKE THE TRAIN . . . TAKE THE TEST� EVENTS

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WHEREAS, according to studies by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Miami-Dade County ranks first in Florida in pediatric and adult HIV and AIDS cases and third in the United States in AIDS cases; and
WHEREAS, it is the purpose and mission of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County to prevent disease, including HIV/AIDS and other serious diseases, and improve the health of the Miami-Dade County community through integrated State, County, and community efforts; and
WHEREAS, to further and assist the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County with the fulfillment of its purpose and mission, a partnership has been forged between Miami-Dade Transit, the Board of County Commissioners� Office of Community Advocacy, and Miami-Dade County�s 3-1-1 hotline; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, with the cooperation of its partners, has planned county-wide �Take the Train . . . Take the Test� events to raise awareness of and perform testing for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other public health concerns in connection with events such as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Black History Month, World TB Day, National HIV Testing Day, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, and World AIDS Day; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County desires to continue sponsoring these awareness and testing events throughout the remainder of this year and with increased frequency in the future; and
WHEREAS, because of the valuable and desired public health benefit that these events provide to the Miami-Dade County community, this Board desires to express its support for and commendation of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County�s �Take the Train . . . Take the Test� events,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Expresses its support and endorsement of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County�s �Take the Train . . . Take the Test� events; and
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County.