Whereas, the AIDS pandemic is relentlessly gaining ground, leaving millions of victims in its wake and orphaning a new child every fifteen seconds; and

Whereas, children who have been orphaned or rendered vulnerable by AIDS are among the most fragile children of the planet; and

Whereas, the AIDS orphans’ crisis is a humanitarian, economic, social and security challenge that our global society must urgently address as there are already more than fifteen million AIDS orphans in the world;and

Whereas, only a large-scale and sustainable political effort can halt this crisis; and

Whereas, World AIDS Orphans Day contributes to raising public awareness about the plight of these children, whose numbers constantly increase; and

Whereas, the elected officials, guarantors of the Rights of the Child in their respective districts, can commit their constituencies to respecting the rights of the most vulnerable children; and

Whereas, the moral support given by elected representatives can contribute to influencing governments into taking immediate measure for the protection and global caretaking of AIDS orphans, while respecting and implementing the applicable international rights;

Now, therefore, I, Tom Potter, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim May 7^th, 2008 to be

World AIDS Orphans Day

in Portland, and encourage all residents to observe this day.