Washington, DC -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors will hold a briefing for Mayors across the country on the threat of chemical terrorism and what can be done by cities to deal with this threat, Conference President and New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial announced today.

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The briefing will feature James Genovese from the U.S. Army Soldier Biological Chemical Command. An internationally recognized expert on terrorism, Mr. Genovese headed the Army's Chemical/Biological Counter-Terrorism Team and is currently an advisor to the Army's Homeland Defense Unit and the New York Terrorism Task Force. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley will moderate the briefing, which will also feature Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran.

WHAT:	Briefing for Mayors on Chemical Terrorism
WHEN:	Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:	1620 Eye St., NW, 4th floor or online at usmayors.org
WHO:	Chemical terrorism expert James Genovese Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley U.S. Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran Mayors from across the country will participate via the internet

The video conference, accessible to the public on the web at usmayors.org, is the second in a series designed to help keep Mayors informed about emergency management preparedness, terrorism, public safety, and public health issues.

Mayors across the country have been on the frontlines responding to this month's terrorist attacks, directing emergency response and preparedness efforts, beefing up local security, organizing blood drives and financial contributions, and urging tolerance.

Over the past several years, the Conference has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas A&M University to sponsor regional training sessions to help Mayors deal with the threat of biological and chemical attacks.

The U. S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are about 1,200 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor.

Contact: Lina Garcia (202) 861-6719

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